QUEENSLAND’S STATE LIBRARY NAMED AS NATION’S BEST BUILDING

Arts Minister Rod Welford has congratulated the State Library of Queensland, after it was named the nation’s best building by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA).

“The State Library was awarded the nation’s top prize for public architecture at the 2007 RAIA National Architecture Awards last night,” Mr Welford said.

“I congratulate the architects, Donovan Hill Peddle Thorpe, who were presented with the RAIA Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture at a ceremony in Alice Springs.

“This achievement is a feather in the cap for Queensland’s premier cultural precinct.

“The State Library is a celebration of inspiring architecture and urban design.

“It is a truly active, interesting, engaging and welcoming space for the public and Queenslander’s should feel proud to have this state-of-the-art facility in our backyard.”

Principal architect Timothy Hill envisioned the new State Library as an “open space which, unlike many public buildings of the past, is neither intimidating nor conventional”.

Described by RAIA judges as an extraordinary project that had opened the State Library up to a new generation of users, the award is the most recent accolade for the building.

The redeveloped Cultural Centre also took out Queensland’s top engineering award in September, the prestigious R W Hawken Award for excellence in engineering.

The State Library also received the top award for interiors at the RAIA National Architecture Awards last night, while a National Award for Public Architecture was awarded to the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA).

Mr Welford said both the State Library and GoMA, were constructed as part of the Queensland Government’s $291 million redevelopment of the Cultural Centre at South Bank.

“Since opening in December last year, the State Library has tallied over 1.1 million visits and GoMA, along with its second site, the Queensland Art Gallery, has recorded over a million visits,” he said.

“The redeveloped Cultural Centre is fast becoming a must-see cultural destination.”

Media contact: Emma Clarey on 32371000 or 0419 791 336