Gosford Regional Library

Client Lahznimmo Architects
Services
- Civil
- Electrical Engineering
- Hydraulic & Fire
- Integrated Buildings
- Mechanical Engineering
- Structural
- Sustainability
- Vertical Transport
Sectors
- Public Domain & Community
Year 2025
Value $32.7 million
Location Gosford, NSW

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Northrop worked closely with Lahznimmo Architects, Central Coast Council, and North Constructions to bring the new Gosford Regional Library to life. Our collaboration centred on aligning the architectural vision with practical, efficient engineering solutions, ensuring the design intent could be realised within the site’s tight constraints and budget.

The project also showcased strong collaboration across Northrop’s offices, with our Sydney and Wollongong teams working seamlessly together to deliver coordinated structural, civil, building services, and ESD solutions. Together, we explored opportunities to reuse existing structural elements, optimise the building’s form, and integrate sustainable systems that would support Council’s long-term environmental goals.

Through open communication and shared problem-solving, the team delivered a distinctive, future-ready community hub that balances design ambition with technical performance.

Located in the heart of Gosford, the new library is much more than a place for books. Designed as a vibrant community hub, it celebrates learning, creativity, and connection.

The three-storey building offers light-filled spaces with sweeping views to the mountains, a café on the top floor, a large performance theatre, maker studios, co-working spaces, and a dedicated children’s library. Every element has been thoughtfully designed to encourage people to come together to study, create, and share ideas.

Northrop provided structural, civil, integrated building services (IB) and ESD engineering for the project. Working closely with Lahznimmo, we helped embed sustainability and practicality into every stage of the design.

Our engineers invested significant time in understanding the existing site and building conditions, which included a four-metre level change across the site and adjoining structures that straddled the property boundary. This detailed analysis allowed us to develop strategies that retained and reused existing retaining walls and structural elements wherever possible, minimising excavation, reducing waste, and protecting the stability of neighbouring buildings and car parking areas.

The team collaborated closely with the architect to achieve the building’s voluminous internal spaces, from the light-filled atrium and performance theatre to the top-floor café, while maintaining a robust and efficient structural design. Value engineering initiatives, such as the use of internal precast cores and adjusting the ground floor level to align with existing conditions, further streamlined construction and reduced cost without compromising the design intent.

The result is a fully electric, gas-free building powered by on-site solar generation and supported by efficient mechanical systems that enhance comfort and reduce energy use. Integrated systems for rainwater harvesting, low-impact materials, and flexible internal layouts ensure the library can adapt to the evolving needs of the community for years to come.

Since opening, the Gosford Regional Library has become a vibrant gathering place and a proud new landmark for the Central Coast. The building breathes new life into the city centre, providing a welcoming hub for both long-term residents and those moving into the growing precinct.

It’s a space that connects people, fostering creativity, learning, and a renewed sense of local pride.