State Library Victoria

Vision 2020 redevelopment transformed State Library Victoria, Australia's oldest and busiest public library. At the heart of the refurbishment were the incomparable spaces through a contemporary and consistent architectural narrative reinventing the building’s services, expanding its community outreach and enhancing the visitor’s experience. The project created 40% of additional public space and increased seating by 70%. By studying its history and understanding its importance, we worked with an approach based on seeking authenticity and discovery, letting the heritage stand in its raw beauty.

Schmidt Hammer Lassen is a Danish architecture firm with offices in Copenhagen, Aarhus, and Shanghai. SHL's design approach is rooted in the studio's DNA as a multicultural collective that works globally but has an inherent Scandinavian legacy. The tradition of human-centric architecture with social and environmental sustainability is ingrained in the work.

With over 30 years of experience, SHL is one of Scandinavia's most recognised and award-winning architectural practices. In 2018, the studio became part of global architecture firm Perkins&Will.