It’s looks terrible, cramped and ruined the symmetry and flow of the area.

If this government had any class, style and imagination (and I should point out the Libs have even less so I guess it could have been worse), they would have come up with something better.
I think Apple’s 5th Avenue store is something that should have informed the design of that square and the library, it is a hallmark building that manages to be a beacon and yet not impose of clutter it’s surroundings. The library didn’t have to so ornate as that, but certainly there was potential.
http://www.apple.com/retail/fifthavenue/

Holden Caulfield said :

“The Civic Library was relocated from East Row to Civic Square five years ago to enhance the Square as a key cultural precinct in the city.”

It’s a nice building and all, but IMO it’s totally cocked up the theatre and that space in general. C’est la vie.

+1
I walked past it again just a few weeks ago and agin I thought it looks like an interesting building which could be very nice in the right setting but it doesn’t look right where it is and it spoils the symmetry.

Holditz said :

What they don’t tell you is that in the January rain and hail storm that occured the next year, the library was out of action for about 3-5 months afterwards (not sure how long), due to repairs to a room that, being new, should have been able to handle it in the first place.

+1
Anyone know any more details about that? Was it the repairs that took so long or did they have to rethink the design because it turned out not to work as expected?

Rawhide Kid Part3 said :

That photo makes the Civic Library look like a Nuclear blast bunker.

Or like a place where they incinerate books. Fahrenheit 451: ‘It was a pleasure to burn.’

But is is very nice inside.

Holditz said :

due to repairs to a room

Roof, I mean, not room.

dtc said :

Holden Caulfield said :

“The Civic Library was relocated from East Row to Civic Square five years ago to enhance the Square as a key cultural precinct in the city.”

It’s a nice building and all, but IMO it’s totally cocked up the theatre and that space in general. C’est la vie.

Why has it cocked up the space? Its not like anyone uses it, apart from the odd civic event and the occasional teeny tiny protest against the legislative assembly?

Its much nicer than the dilapidated East Row

Because there’s a poorly integrated protrusion into the open area that ruins the previous flow and sight lines. It might be better than East Row. However, not only is that a separate issue but (IMO) Civic Square is the poorer for the addition.

Holden Caulfield said :

“The Civic Library was relocated from East Row to Civic Square five years ago to enhance the Square as a key cultural precinct in the city.”

It’s a nice building and all, but IMO it’s totally cocked up the theatre and that space in general. C’est la vie.

Why has it cocked up the space? Its not like anyone uses it, apart from the odd civic event and the occasional teeny tiny protest against the legislative assembly?

Its much nicer than the dilapidated East Row

What they don’t tell you is that in the January rain and hail storm that occured the next year, the library was out of action for about 3-5 months afterwards (not sure how long), due to repairs to a room that, being new, should have been able to handle it in the first place.

That photo makes the Civic Library look like a Nuclear blast bunker.

“The Civic Library was relocated from East Row to Civic Square five years ago to enhance the Square as a key cultural precinct in the city.”

It’s a nice building and all, but IMO it’s totally cocked up the theatre and that space in general. C’est la vie.