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Subiaco Library Renovations

In recent years, the Subiaco Library has suffered from water leaks and rising damp. The City's engineer has identified a number of defects, associated with the age of the building, which need to be addressed.

In response to the defects identified by the City's engineer, and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Library, the City intends to remediate and restore the external built-form elements of the building. 

Project objectives:

  • Address the defects identified by the City's engineer

  • Reverse poor design decisions, including the painted brickwork

  • Preserve the building for future generations

  • Replace the external hard and soft landscape elements with elements that enhance the built-form and which are sympathetic to the building

  • Illuminate the built-form through an appropriate external lighting display

In order to undertake the works, the library will need to close temporarily. During this time, to limit the impact of this closure, a ‘pop-up library’ will be established. The pop-up will enable library staff to continue delivering a range of events and services to the community. 

Project status

Complete

Project timeline

Saturday 23 September 2023 to May 2024

Project partners

Griffiths Architects
UDLA

Contact

Project Lead: Jeremy Graf, Coordinator Capital Projects.
Email: city@subiaco.wa.gov.au
 

The library will be closed to enable the restoration works to take place. The roof and air conditioning units are being replaced which means it will be  unsafe to enter the library during the work. There will also be cranes and scaffolding around the outside of the site. To keep everyone safe, the site around the library will be fenced off.

The pop-up library will open at 9.30am on Monday 2 October 2023. It will be located at 241 Rokeby Road (the City's previous admin building adjacent to Subiaco Library), and opening hours will remain the same. 

The majority of library services and programming will remain the same.

Some services, including printing, public computer access and access to public wifi from the library will not be available at the pop-up library. View this document for a list of nearby buildings who can provide these services. 

The trees around the library, apart from the fig tree on Bagot Road and the trees on the Rokeby Road verge, will be removed in order to undertake the restoration works. New landscaping and suitable plants species, that do not impact on the building, will be planted. The new landscaping includes seating areas and incorporates external lighting to illuminate the library of an evening.

Yes, the museum will be accessible. However the parking area behind the library will be closed.

The works are expected to take 3 to 4 months.

Parking will be available around the pop-up library, including one ACROD bay and one 15-minute drop-off space. Parking behind Subiaco Library will be unavailable for the works period.

Books can be returned to Subiaco Pop-up Library during opening hours only. There is no access to a 24/7 returns chute.