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View of the Queen Street pavilion at dusk

Set back from the historic façades of the city’s quaint downtown, Charlottetown’s brutalist Dominion Building has asserted a handsome — yet somewhat isolated and imposing — presence since its construction in the 1950s. Originally built as a government office building, the six-storey complex was converted into residential apartments in the early 2010s. A decade later, it welcomes another new chapter via the addition of an inviting (and eye-catching) new library branch on its ground floor.

Azure Charlottetown Library Learning Centre from the exterior at night

Designed by local architects Nine Yards Studio in collaboration with Halifax-based MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, the 3,250-square-metre Charlottetown Library Learning Centre takes advantage of the Dominion Building’s setback frontage to introduce a street-facing pavilion. Topped by a cantilevered portico, the complex meets Queen Street with a sheltered outdoor space — including a generous terrace — that frames the light-filled library.

Cafe space at Azure Charlottetown Library Learning Centre

Clad almost entirely in glass, the sleek new pavilion announces the sociable spaces within. Fronting the street and the outdoor terrace, a casual café and seating area blurs the boundary between the interior and the outdoors.

A view of the reception area during a busy day

Past the entrance, the space is organized around a central corridor that allows for easy and intuitive wayfinding through the library’s diverse program.

A view of the central corridor that runs through the library

Characterized by blonde wood finishes, ample natural light and playful circular forms, the complex unfolds in a combination of communal spaces and quieter zones. Alongside a physical collection of books and media, the mixed-use library features a maker space, recording studios, programming areas, meeting rooms, breakout spaces, an administration wing, public computers, accessible and gender-neutral washrooms, as well as a community learning kitchen.

A view of the children's area, which is slightly elevated above the rest of the complex

The children’s area is a highlight. Elevated slightly above the rest of the library, the dynamic space affords the youngsters a panoramic view of the complex. Additionally, a flexible community gathering space — which hosts regular after-hours events — features movable walls that allow the room to accommodate up to 500 people.

View of the media centre, featuring televisions and gaming devices

Accented by pops of solid colour — including bright furnishings and wall details — the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre integrates education, community-building and social spaces into an inviting all-day hub. And at the end of the corridor? The new library introduces a second terrace at the back of the Dominion Building, opening out to the greenery of Charlottetown’s Connaught Square Park. It all adds up to a dynamic new space carved out from a brutalist icon.

Exterior view of the Queen Street pavilion at daytime
Charlottetown’s Dominion Building Debuts a New Public Face

Nine Yards Studio and MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects carve out a library and community centre within a brutalist complex.

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