State Library Public Domain Project
The City of Sydney has recently approved the NSW Government’s plans to transform the State Library of NSW forecourt into a new public domain for the people of Sydney.
The plans seek to integrate public art and native plants around a new grassed plaza that supports library events and community activities. It will double the size of the current forecourt to create a vibrant new 3,000 m2 public space within Sydney’s CBD.
The revitalisation of the library forecourt is an initiative under the government’s 20-year vision to elevate the Macquarie Street East Precinct into a vibrant arts and culture destination, while protecting the precinct’s historic integrity and original character. Since 2022, as part of the Hassell-led masterplan team, GML has provided strategic heritage advice and services for the Macquarie Street East Precinct.
The State Library project implementation realises the northern portion of the public domain within the wider Precinct. It goes some way towards reconnecting Country and the historic designed landscape across the expressway. GML’s services have included heritage advice, planning, research, and assessment to ensure significant values are conserved and enhanced in the public domain.
For the State Library Public Domain Project, GML has supported Property and Development NSW by reviewing the project brief, providing comments on concept designs. We prepared the supporting technical reports for heritage to accompany the development application including a heritage impact assessment, an archaeological research design and an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment.
Artist’s impression courtesy Property and Development NSW.
