The family of the architect of Gosford Library have added their voice to those wanting Gosford Library to be saved.
“We, the family of the architect, Alan Williams, request that Central Coast Council re-purpose the library as per the qualified authority of the Government Architect of NSW and the Gosford Urban Design Framework,” the family spokesman, writing from Denmark, said.
“Designed by our late father Alan Williams, the library sits in a prominent position in Kibble Park.
“Its distinctive pre-cast concrete panels, massive glue laminated hardwood rafters with steel connecting elements and western red cedar ceilings set it apart from the ordinary and mundane CBD buildings.
“In fact, architecture today replicates elements of our father’s mid-century design, for example, the use of timber at Gosford’s new University.”
But with the new regional library being built across the road, Council wants to demolish the original library to improve a perceived ‘line of sight’ to Kibble Park.
Public consultations have listed heritage, financial responsibility and the ongoing delivery of community services identified as key themes amongst the feedback.
“With the population of Gosford forecast to increase by 67% by 2046, how exactly does the demolition of an existing public building serve to address these concerns,” Rhys Williams said.
Rhys’ father, Alan Williams, designed the library when he was living at 9 Amaroo Crescent, Mosman.
He also designed the Mosman home and it shared several similarities with Gosford Library.
It won awards and featured in a design exposition in Osaka, Japan.
When Gosford Library opened its doors in 1969, it was the latest masterpiece of Australia’s most talented and renowned construction professionals with contributions from:
# Ove Arup and Partners, the lead structural engineer for the Sydney Opera House,
# Rinaldo Umberto Fabbro, whose work features on Harry Seidler’s Australia Square Tower and
# A.W Edwards, who had just completed the Footbridge Theatre at Sydney University.
In recognition of its architectural and heritage significance, Gosford Library was listed by the National Trust Australia (NSW) and the Australian Institute of Architects.
Who was Alan Williams?
Alan was born in Avonmouth near Bristol in the United Kingdom in 1920, but was raised in South Africa.
He trained as a pilot and in the 1940s was seconded to the Royal Air Force in the UK where he flew Spitfires over German occupied territories during WW2.
Alan was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery.
After the war, he studied at the School of Architecture at the University of Cape Town.
Graduating in 1950, he went on to manage a practice in Cape Town before starting his own firm with offices in Cape Town and Durban whilst lecturing part-time at the University of Natal.
“In 1960, due to his unease with apartheid South Africa, he emigrated to Sydney with his wife and three children,” his son said.
Alan had six children, three with his first wife Midge and three with his second wife, Rosalind.
Two live in Canberra, one in Jindabyne, one in Japan, and Rhys lives in Denmark. A daughter, Melody, passed away in 2017.
When Alan came to Sydney, he joined a local firm of Peddle, Thorp and Walker, where he worked on designs for the Menzies Hotel at Wynyard (completed in 1964) and Gold Fields House on the corner of Alfred and Pitt Streets (completed in 1966).
He also lectured in Design at the University of New South Wales.
In the mid 1960’s, Alan worked for Stephenson and Turner, one of Australia’s largest architectural firms at the time, where he designed the new Lyceum Theatre in Pitt Street (completed 1966) and renovations to the Commonwealth Bank branch at Wynyard and the Wayside Chapel for Ted Noffs.
In private practice, Alan designed many buildings, not least the Gosford Library (completed in 1969), the Prudential Building in Martin Place (completed in 1971) and other developments, such as the Ensemble Theatre in Kirribilli and his personal houses, including the family home in Amaroo Crescent.
The family said Gosford Library has delivered essential education and community services to the population of the central coast since it opened in 1969.
“A surging population can put a strain on existing resources, especially in regions that are not prepared,” Williams said.
“If the Council is serious about its plan for this growth and maintaining the lifestyle that the Central Coast community currently enjoys, then Gosford Library should be re-purposed not demolished.
“The building has already undergone substantial upgrades in recent years.
“Its central ‘civic heart’ location in Kibble Park makes it ideal as a community hub that could quite easily be transformed into an art gallery, youth centre, museum, events and conference centre or stand-alone meeting space for local organisations at a fraction of the cost and environmental impact associated with new construction,” the family said.
Have Your Say
Council is currently asking the community to comment on the proposal to demolish the building but critics say it’s skewed with questions such as “how often do you use the library” irrelevant when the future of the building will not be as a library.
Regional Youth Support Services (RYSS) has put up its hand, saying it would love a permanent home and the library would be perfect.
Historian Merril Jackson has highlighted the Government Architect of NSW’s Gosford Urban Design Framework 2021 included design principles for Kibble Park that endorsed keeping the library and repurposing it.
But, in putting out a design plan for Kibble Park, Council chose to demolish the library and keep the nearby parkhouse building instead.
The plan was endorsed while council was under administration but when councillors were voted in again in September last year the decision came under review.
This current survey is part of that review.
Jackson says the building is a trail blazer; using groundbreaking construction firsts such as the CSIRO scientifically developed timber laminated; registered as a significant 20th mid-century architecture by the Australian Institute of Architects and should be celebrated as a heritage asset.
Have your say: but be quick: it closes on June 11. https://www.yourvoiceourcoast.com/GLB#Haveyoursay
Leave a Reply