Library Buildings around the World

Studio Egret West, London – UK
Christopher Egret, David West
http://www.egretwest.com
Clapham One, London – UK 2011
The £80 million landmark Clapham One PPP (Public Private Partnership) Project for the London Borough of Lambeth
encompasses two sites in Clapham. United House has secured a £29 million contract to design and build a new community library,
primary care medical centre and 136 private sale apartments as joint developer and investor with Cathedral Group plc on the site of
Mary Seacole House. The nearby Clapham Manor Street site will be home to a new leisure centre and 63 homes, 44 of which will be
social (note: this part of the project does not form part of the United House contract). The project has two sectional completion dates
for the early handover of residential units and the public spaces. 12 storey concrete frame building with single storey basement
comprising:
•Community library - this is a spiral ‘drum’ shape over three floors from basement to first, with an open centre and ramp to outside
edge where the books will be displayed.
•Primary care medical centre - to the remainder of the ground floor providing consultation rooms, minor operating rooms, training
and management, etc.
•136 residential apartments for private sale – one and two bed apartments designed and built to a high quality specification.
•Basement - car parking and building operational plant.
The external facade is of Forticrete split blocks with stainless steel colour windows and Juliet balconies. The building has been
designed with curved ends to each of the cores to reduce the impact of the volume of the building. (http://www.unitedhouse.net)
Emrys Architects, London – UK
http://www.emrysarchitects.com
former:A-EM, London there: Imperial College, London
Farrell Clark Architects, Leeds, London – UK
http://www.farrellandclark.co.uk
Libraries:
University of York Campus, National Science Learning Centre, York – UK 2006
The New National Science Learning Centre is located on the University of York campus. The Centre will provide innovative,
experimental, continuing development courses for science teachers and technicians, and is the hub of a new national network of
Science Learning Centres. The building comprises 2 main elements; a 3 storey block at 90 o to the existing Medical School (also
designed by Farrell & Clark), and a 2 storey quadrant block which contains the Centre's major functions. The building design
utilises rainscreen curtain walling and cladding enhanced by planar glazing and coloured render to the sculptural form of the main
entrance, which is located at first floor level and accessed by a bridge spanning over an external courtyard area. The main block
contains the teaching areas and offices. A restaurant and bar, with appropriate kitchen support facilities, is located at ground floor.
The accommodation contained within the quadrant shape includes 2 lecture theatres (with the ability to combine and provide a 300
seat facility), a resource centre, and the main entrance and exhibition area of the building. The form of the quadrant has been
developed to accommodate the requirements of the lecture theatres. The central exhibition hall has been designed to be the fulcrum
of the development, providing a dramatic, exciting and flexible core to the building. Open galleries within a ‘drum shaped' hall
contribute to providing a setting appropriate for exhibitions, science demonstrations, meetings, conferences and the stimulation of
delegates undertaking Science Learning courses. A unique aspect of the project is that the building itself has been designed as a
‘learning tool'. This will be achieved by structural clarity, transparent sections of walls, floors, special fittings and building services.
The building also utilises and demonstrates a number of energy efficient and sustainable features including geo-thermal heating and
cooling, a ‘green roof', grey water retention and ‘green' pipework distribution systems. Display panels inform building users how
services systems are operating, together with information from a weather station, cameras on to bat and bird boxes and links to
other science facilities. External facilities will eventually include trial growing areas, a greenhouse and a nature study pond. (Farrell)
Total Project Value £10m
University of Hull, Business School, Kingston upon Hull – UK 2005
The New National Science Learning Centre is located on the University of York campus. The Centre will provide innovative,
experimental, continuing development courses for science teachers and technicians, and is the hub of a new national network of
Science Learning Centres. The building comprises 2 main elements; a 3 storey block at 90 o to the existing Medical School (also
designed by Farrell & Clark), and a 2 storey quadrant block which contains the Centre's major functions. The building design
utilises rainscreen curtain walling and cladding enhanced by planar glazing and coloured render to the sculptural form of the main
entrance, which is located at first floor level and accessed by a bridge spanning over an external courtyard area. The main block
contains the teaching areas and offices. A restaurant and bar, with appropriate kitchen support facilities, is located at ground floor.
The accommodation contained within the quadrant shape includes 2 lecture theatres (with the ability to combine and provide a 300
seat facility), a resource centre, and the main entrance and exhibition area of the building. The form of the quadrant has been
developed to accommodate the requirements of the lecture theatres. The central exhibition hall has been designed to be the fulcrum
of the development, providing a dramatic, exciting and flexible core to the building. Open galleries within a ‘drum shaped' hall
contribute to providing a setting appropriate for exhibitions, science demonstrations, meetings, conferences and the stimulation of
delegates undertaking Science Learning courses. A unique aspect of the project is that the building itself has been designed as a
‘learning tool'. This will be achieved by structural clarity, transparent sections of walls, floors, special fittings and building services.
The building also utilises and demonstrates a number of energy efficient and sustainable features including geo-thermal heating and
cooling, a ‘green roof', grey water retention and ‘green' pipework distribution systems. Display panels inform building users how
services systems are operating, together with information from a weather station, cameras on to bat and bird boxes and links to
other science facilities. External facilities will eventually include trial growing areas, a greenhouse and a nature study pond.
Total Project Value £10m
Significant investment in state-of-the-art facilities on the University's west campus created a first-class facility for the Business
School to accommodate our continued growth in size and status. In 2005, we moved in to our new home, described by Sir Digby
Jones, former Director General of the CBI, as a ‘world class learning and teaching facility'. Designed by esteemed architects Farrell
and Clark, the school is a mix of new build and redevelopment. Contemporary links connect four Grade II listed buildings to create
an inspirational yet practical space, equipped with the latest technology.
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