Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library will welcome its first visitors when it opens to the public next month.

A distinctive new landmark in the heart of the Armstrong Creek Town Centre, the $21.8 million library and community hub spans 2,500 square metres across three storeys. It contains more than 30,000 new books and resources and features a children’s story time area, outdoor terraces and multipurpose and creative spaces.

Buchan’s architecture and interior design team worked closely with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and the City of Greater Geelong to inform both the design concept and cultural overlay.

The ‘Living Water’ narrative embedded in the design respects and embraces the valley-scape’s Wadawurrung living cultural heritage.

“The waterways of the Wadawurrung people have been a natural meeting point for centuries and are rich in cultural and spiritual significance. The new library and hub is conceived as a nourishing place for the community to come together and create a shared future.” Buchan Principal Aleksander Borek.

Biyal-a (pronounced Be-al-a) is a Wadawurrung expression reflecting the surrounding valley-scape and its watercourse as a place of many red gums.

City of Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan opened the library by cutting a garland of red gums, which are significant in both the name and location of the facility.

Buchan joined representatives from City of Greater Geelong, Geelong Regional Library Corporation, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and our project team Nicholson Construction, Inhabit, Tract Consultants, Architecture & Access, BSA Building Surveyors, Stantec, Omnii and Zinc CM to mark the occasion.

Founded in Geelong in 1890, Buchan has a proud history of design with the City of Geelong and continues this today with this major civic milestone for the community of Armstrong Creek.

City of Greater Geelong