The new Eaton Library, Administration and Community Centre building is a modern two-storey, L-shaped building clad predominantly in stringy bark with charred jarrah timber as accents. This timber building will be integrated into Eaton’s developing town centre, providing a great number of services to the community, inlcuding a high standard public library, makerspace to foster connection through creativity and shared interests, a mixed-use community hub with meeting space for local groups, civic spaces and the Shire’s new administration offices. Its L-shape allows for a civic courtyard space, accessible from the Library and Council Chambers. Whilst the library courtyard space allows for an outdoor play area for children and seating for patrons to read a book or linger and share a coffee with mates from the coffee hub in the library.

The first mass timber structure made with Laminated Vaneer Lumber columns and beams, cross laminated timber floors and timber framing for the Shire, the building is a landmark demonstration on the capabilities of timber construction.

During construction, Dardanup Shire President Mick Bennett said the project would deliver a community hub of the future providing an engine room for collaboration, connection and innovation while showcasing the potential for leading sustainable timber construction.

This project was winner of Best Office Building $10 – $20M at the 2024 Master Builders-Commonwealth Bank Building Excellence Awards South West.