Library Buildings around the World

the public domain is enriched by strong form and vivid colour. Traditionally, a library is conceived as a ´serious´ building, but for
Alsop seriousness of the conviction that the public domain is enriched by strong form and vivid colour. Traditonally, a library is
conceived as a ´serious`building, but for Alsop seriousness of purpose does not preculde either high style or wit. The practice
habitually elevates its buildings above ground level, so that users connect with sky and views and the building itself, whatever its
fuction, gains in presence. A by-product of this strategy is that buildings gain a ´sixth facade´ - an underbelly which can form the
cover for a public space at ground level. The Peckham Library is supported on concrete-filled steel columns, angled to form an
irregular arcade which encloses a covered space, an extension of the new square. External claddings are chosen for durability and
for their expressive textures and colours – pre-patinated copper and steel mesh contrast with coloured glass (used on the north
facade). The library itself is at fourth floor level, the short arm of an inverted ´L´, with offices, meeting rooms and other ancillary
facilities on the lower floors. (Alsop)
Archial Group Plc (formerly SMC Group), London – UK http://www.archialgroup.com
Libraries:
South Thames College, London – UK 2009
The campus will accommodate 5,000 students and 200 staff. The college has been designed to provide maximum openness for
circulation spaces whilst recognising the issues of security in an inner city campus. New facilities for Music, Media and Performing
Arts, Languages, Health and Social Sciences, 6th Form Centre, a Sports Hall (to Sport England standards), separate Multi Purpose
Hall community, Fitness Gym and ancillary facilities, Learning Resource Centre and Cafe. (Archial)
Huchtesons´Grammar JuniorSchool, Library, Glasgow – UK 2008
Awards:
Scottish Design Award Best Small Project
Archial was asked to look at the reconfiguration of the grade ‘C’ listed junior school based around the requirement for a new
library. We proposed to centre the new library at the heart of the school within 2 existing classrooms. Both classrooms were joined
together and completely refurbished to contain an enclosed junior section, alcoves held within the existing door openings, a lowered
curved ceiling which enhances the traditional windows whilst housing services and has IT and audio visual screens installed.
(Archial)
A £200,000 library designed by Archial Architects for Hutchesons' Grammar Junior School in Glasgow has been nominated in the
Best Small Project category at the prestigious Scottish Design Awards 2009. Archial was originally approached by Hutcheson's
Educational Trust to prepare a feasibility document to look at reconfiguring the existing Junior School plan to meet the current
education criteria. The proposal centred around the requirement for a new library space which would form the hub of the school
and a focal point for both parents and pupils. The Trust wished to create a space which underlined Hutcheson's traditional values,
combined with a progressive and forward thinking ethos. Archial proposed that this would be best achieved by juxtaposing a
modern state of the art frontage for the library against the dark timber panelling and decorative plaster work of the assembly room.
The library now occupies the centre of the building adjacent to the main hall and directly opposite the main entrance. It was felt
important to express the modern interior of the library space to the visiting public, however the grade C listing of the existing
building prevented opening up of the shared wall. To overcome this, the design team proposed a glass wall/light box which acts as a
facade or veneer to the new library behind. Both school pupils and staff chose 12 well known quotations from childrens' books which
were arranged randomly across the glass panels in vinyl applied to the rear of the glass. A further layer of donors' names was sand
blasted into the outer pane of glass and highlighted by the overhead lights. Russell Baxter of Archial Architects, said, "The final
piece creates a focal point, an art installation that the pupils can enjoy and provides a mechanism to thank parents and friends that
have been kind enough to help fund the project. "This bold and exciting piece offers ownership to the funders, fun to the children
and creates a modern statement within a traditional school building, thereby reinforcing the schools' forward thinking approach."
The Archial Group Plc employs around 200 staff in Scotland, operating from offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and
Inverness. (http://www.glasgowarcgitecture.co.uk)
University of Albertay Library, Dundee on Tees - 1998 UK
Scale 5,250 m², Value £8 million, Completed 1998
Awards:
The library has won several awards including a RIBA Award 1998; Scottish Design Awards ‘Best New Building’ 1998; Regeneration
of Scotland Award 1998 and the Sir Robert Grieve Awards 1998.
1998 RIBA Award
1998 Scottish Design Awards, ‘Best New Building’
1998 Regeneration of Scotland Award
1998 Sir Robert Grieve Award
Following a limited design competition in 1995, Archial was commissioned to design a new library for The University of Abertay,
Dundee, which has become the gateway to the University. Three distinctive building elements reflect the very different
accommodation requirements: circular lecture spaces are contained within the tall drum form, open plan library decks with a
curved glazed wall provide views westward to the Sheriff Court, and service areas are housed in a solid rectangular form. A roof
canopy serves to mark the entrance and unite the three core parts of the design.
Architype, London – UK
http://www.architype.co.uk
Libraries:
St. Katherine´s Library, Hereford, Herefordshire - UK Competition First Prize. Start 2010
Herefordshire Council today announced that sustainability architect Architype has won the competition to design the £2.9m St
Katherine’s Library in Ledbury, Herefordshire.
The competition attracted a large number of entries including designs by Feilden Clegg Bradley, Richard Murphy, Davies Sutton
and Panter Hudspith. The project board scored the proposals based on their interpretation of the project brief and their
understanding of the historical and conservation context. The final three were also displayed for public comment, and there was an
overwhelming preference for the Architype scheme.
Located within a rare surviving example of a historic hospital complex founded in 1232, the winning proposal is for an overtly 21st
century building with a strong connection to Ledbury’s heritage. Designed as a modern re-interpretation of Ledbury’s traditional
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