We are delighted to share that the Kitchener Public Library Southwest Community Branch has been recognized as a winner in the Sustainable Kitchener category at the 2025 Kitchener Great Places Awards.
Located in the city’s growing Rosenberg neighbourhood, the new 14,000 sq. ft. branch is one of the first civic anchors in a rapidly developing area, setting the tone for a future community hub that will also include a community centre and elementary school. Designed in close collaboration with Kitchener Public Library, the project reflects the City’s vision for accessible, inclusive, and sustainable civic spaces that foster lifelong learning and connection.
The branch was shaped by extensive community and stakeholder engagement, including meaningful consultation with Indigenous Land Right Holders — the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Six Nations of the Grand River. These conversations informed the programming and spatial design, resulting in a facility that celebrates diverse voices and creates a place of gathering and storytelling for all.
Inside, visitors will find digital media and creation spaces, a demonstration kitchen, multi-purpose rooms, and quiet study areas designed to adapt to a variety of programs and community needs. The building’s design seamlessly integrates with its surrounding parkland and trails, connecting indoor learning spaces to outdoor gathering areas and a learning garden that supports educational programming around nutrition and the environment.
A net-zero energy target guided every design decision. The branch incorporates triple-glazed windows, geothermal heating and cooling, solar panels, and natural daylighting strategies to reduce its carbon footprint while enhancing comfort and air quality. These systems not only support the City’s climate goals but serve as educational tools for visitors, demonstrating how sustainability can be embedded into everyday community spaces.
This recognition underscores Kitchener Public Library’s and the City’s shared commitment to creating places that inspire learning, inclusivity, and environmental responsibility. Congratulations to the entire project team for helping bring this vision to life.
Learn more about the Awards & see the full list of winners: https://www.kitchener.ca/en/council-and-city-administration/great-places-awards.aspx
