Phive: 5 Parramatta Square library, cultural centre, council chambers opens

For more than a year, the crimson tiles on the asymmetric roof have started to add a splash of colour to Parramatta’s urban landscape and now the building once dubbed the starship enterprise has opened. Take a look inside.

Phive — that conspicuous red building at 5 Parramatta Square surrounded by skyscrapers — opened its doors to the community on Friday when patrons lauded the “state-of-the-art” facility.

“It’s amazing,’’ mechanical engineer Kanna Bindingnavile, of Parramatta, said.

“It’s like somewhere out of this world. Beauty is not the word. It’s peaceful and staff are friendly.’’

Merrian and Peter Penn from Maroubra were transfixed by the library where they took their 21-month-old granddaughter Heidi to explore the 2km of books sitting neatly in their vibrant red shelves over two levels of the six-floor building.

They often visit Parramatta when babysitting their granddaughter from Northmead and plan to return to the library frequently.

“It’s just beautiful,’’ Mrs Penn said.

“If you’re trying to encourage people to read, this is just a beautiful environment to do it in.

“I think the kids’ section is just gorgeous.’’

Peter and Merrian Penn with their granddaughter Heidi, 21 months, have immediately fallen in love with Parramatta's new library, Phive.

The vast collection of books — there are 65,000 titles — has also impressed her, particularly the Retirement Made Simple and Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?

Mr Penn was overwhelmed at the library.

“This is massive, it’s start-of-the-art architecture.’’

Kanna Bindingnavile at Parramatta's new library, Phive at 5 Parramatta Square.

He also noted Parramatta’s transformation over the past 20 years when he used to work on the outskirts of the CBD and is impressed at the infrastructure pumped into Sydney’s west.

The striking red roof of Phive, a play on 5 Parramatta Square, is likely to make it Parramatta’s newest icon after the building was created by award-winning French architect Manuelle Gautrand and Australian architecture firms Lacoste+Stevenson and Design Inc.

The roof comprises 549 tessellated panels.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis cuts the ribbon, marking the opening of Phive. Picture: Richard Dobson

Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis said Phive was a brilliant, bold centrepiece of Parramatta Square’s $2.7 billion transformation.

“Parramatta’s dazzling new building has been years in the making, and we are so delighted Phive is now open for everyone to enjoy,’’ Cr Davis said.

“This space has been designed with and for our communities in mind – to connect, collaborate and enjoy cultural experiences.’’

The cultural hub is sprawled over six levels. Picture: Richard Dobson

Along with the library, Phive houses the council chambers, exhibition spaces, a wellness studio, 20 flexible meeting rooms, sound recording studios and a cafe that will open soon.

“Phive is a much-needed community facility that will service the needs of the region’s rapidly-growing population,’’ she said.

The rambling second-floor library. Picture: Richard Dobson

Architect Richard Does from DesignInc. Picture: Richard Dobson

Colour saturates the interior of Phive, which Built constructed next to the town hall, and ample light streams through the glass where library patrons can study on several desks and booths fitted out with power points.

Harry, Abigail and and Emily Wigham in the children’s section. Picture: Richard Dobson

The huge library stretches over two levels. Picture: Richard Dobson

The council chambers will host meetings. Picture: Richard Dobson

The name Phive attracted backlash last year when objectors favoured titles The Civic and Civic Place, which failed to win public support during consultation.

The unusual shape saw it dubbed the “starship enterprise”.

Early designs for Phive.

An open day will be held at the weekend when there will be more than 100 free activities as part of a huge opening weekend including First Nations cultural programs, live performances, a children’s silent disco and opening exhibition Green Thumbs Blue Ribbons, to mark 200 years of the Royal Agricultural Society in Parramatta.

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