The new building is located on the site of the existing Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, replacing the existing structure with an expanded, state of the art facility with potential for service shops, meeting spaces, amenities and exhibition spaces all connected to the Geelong Art Gallery. The project is funded by the City of Greater Geelong ($20m), State Government ($15m) and Federal Government ($10m).

Geelong Mayor John Mitchell explains, 'This is the biggest project ever undertaken by Council so we're pleased to appoint a highly experienced firm to deliver an architectural legacy for Geelong. I look forward to seeing a building design that's both unique and complementary to the surroundings in Johnstone Park. The budget for the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre is $45 million – so we can expect something special.'

During the concept design phase we explored the idea of blending the building and the park through various forms. The final design of The Dome (which was conceived as an erosion of spherical forms) not only extends the building into the park but is also reminiscent of great library reading rooms such as the State Library of Victoria and Boullee’s concept for a monument to Newton.