In Gilgandra, a small rural town situated on the land of the Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi and Wailwan people, DunnHillam Architecture + Urbanism has facilitated the reimagination of a former corner store and adjacent plaza into a library and community centre with verdant public space. This adaptive reuse project, with native landscaping that provides flood-resilient stormwater management, establishes what the Australian Institute of Architects describe as a “replicable model for heritage-sensitive town centre regeneration that strengthens both built fabric and community capacity.”
“We designed the library as a valuable community asset that will accommodate an ambitious programme including youth robotics competitions, music recording, business incubator spaces, story time, homework club, support for job seekers, catered functions, music performances and anything else the local energetic librarians can dream up.”
— DunnHillam Architecture + Urbanism
Adaptive reuse of existing site
Situated on the historic main street of the town, with the Castlereagh River behind, the brick corner shop has been reimagined in a way that retains the architectural fabric of the streetscape while creating something entirely new. This approach retained the embodied carbon contained in the existing structure and avoided much of the waste and emissions linked with demolition and new construction.
Materials and construction
The design wraps the existing building in a new verandah with galvanised steel roofing—an awning that reflects the shopfronts on the street. It makes thoughtful use of existing materials: original hardwood roof trusses were retained as part of the interior and some of the timber was reclaimed and crafted into new windows. These reclaimed hardwood windows are paired with mirror-finish stainless steel, which was selected for its durability.
The architects chose materials that were readily available and could be worked with by local tradespeople, supporting local skills and reducing reliance on specialised construction. Together, these strategies demonstrate how retaining existing fabric, reusing materials and working with local resources can make adaptive reuse a more sustainable approach to construction.
Community-oriented program
Inside, the floorplan is divided between library space, stocked with bookshelves and cosy nooks for reading, and a series of rooms for community use. The shopfront is used by local startups, who get to launch products and services on the high street at a reduced rate before moving into retail spaces of their own. Overlooking the river is a multipurpose room with a kitchen that is designed for classes and events. Other bookable spaces include a technology room, a sound-isolated space for podcasts, and another space that is accessible 24 hours a day via keycode for those balancing work and study.
Flood-resilient and future proof
The renovation also included the transformation of the plaza adjacent to the building. This now forms a new entry to the building and creates what the architects describe as “an outdoor living room” for the town. The plaza connects the main street through to Castlereagh River, amongst new native planting and a grove of trees that will mitigate flood levels, you'll find a stage pavilion for events and a lawn for lounging.
The project was designed to be flood resilient: it has been structural engineered to withstand forces and all expensive equipment is located above the flood line. “The result is a building designed to last for the next hundred years,” say the architects. In 2026, the project won the Sustainable Architecture Award at the New South Wales Architecture Awards and was also recognised at the NSW Regional Architecture Awards, where it received awards for Sustainable Architecture, Public Architecture and Urban Design.
