Halifax Central Library nominated for prestigious architectural award

The new Halifax Central Library has made the shortlist for the World Building of the Year 2015 in the civics and community buildings category.

The shortlist is made of up of338 projects from 46 countriesaround the world and will be presented at this year's World Architectural Festival in Singapore,Nov.4-6.

• Halifax Central Library opens to the public
• Sneak peek inside new Halifax Central Library

Australia, the United Kingdom andTurkey lead the nominations.

The Danish firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects collaborated with local architectsFowler Bauld & Mitchell on the design for the Halifax Central Library.

"I don't think I'll have another success story like this, it's hard to beat,"saidGeorgeCotaras,one of the mainarchitects on the project.

On average, more than 6,000 people come through the doors every day that's more than double the number they had hoped for.

"It's prestigious from an architectural perspective, but I think it's also prestigious from a community perspective. This building has been such a focus for our community, and this is just reinforcing that success again,"Cotaras said.

The library also wona 2010 international competition for the redevelopment of the city centre site.

Mary Coyle brought her three grandchildren into the play area at the Central Library for the first time on Tuesday. The children are visiting from the Yukon, and this was the first place Coyle wanted to take them.

"I think it is a world class building, I've travelled and worked all over the world," she said.

"This rivals buildings I've seen in Europe, Asia and Africa.It's not the kind of library you have to go 'shhhh!' It's a place where you can enjoy yourself."