Library Buildings around the World

Lancaster University Library, Lancaster – UK 1996
€ 4.000.000
The first phase of a major expansion of the existing library, accommodating a new user services department, book-stack area and a
fully integrated IT department, comprising seminar/ lecture and group reading suites, open learning areas, alternative learning
technology centre and facilities for multi-media reading. The building also accommodates a new archive storage area (to BS.5454)
with a dedicated reading room and exhibition area. In the uncertain future of libraries and the nature of information retrieval and
use, the library provides deep plan, flexible space to accommodate a wide spectrum of library uses ¬ from high density PC use, IT
teaching technology development and staff areas, to traditional book storage and reading areas. The raised floor contains all
telecommunications and data cabling and acts as the air distribution plenum. The building is planned around a top-lit atrium ¬ the
location for noisier activities of the library. This concentration of noisy uses frees the perimeter for quiet study. The atrium is closed
by the archive area and the double height Reading Room, which provides half the total number of new reader spaces. The Reading
Room is a special place, opening out towards the horizon, with its completely glazed western wall and brise soleil screen overlooking
the entrance to the University and Morecambe Bay, it acts as a symbol for the library and the University the “locus of learning”.
(MJP)
The Cable and Wireless College, Coventry – UK 1993
€ 24.000.000
Awards:
The RFAC / Sunday Times Buildin of the Year 1994
Cable and Wireless acquired a ten acre site overlooking Warwickshire green belt for their new telecommunications training college.
MJP developed and wrote a very detailed brief with the client, including environmental objectives for the project. Teaching space is
located at the front of the site. An ocular court forms the social hub of the complex, linking residential, administration, catering and
teaching facilities. A separate leisure pavilion lies to the east. Teaching rooms are highly flexible, north lit and naturally ventilated;
the wings are linked at first floor by a library and telecommunications exhibition space. MJP also managed the fit out of the college.
'What makes the building satisfactory in the end is the way in which each move has been thought through at so many different
levels.' Peter Davey - Architectural Review The masterplan and innovative design approach has produced '... one of the best
buildings in Europe' Jonathan Glancey Independent. (MJP)
Richard Murphy Architects, Edinburgh – UK
http://www.richardmurphyarchitects.com
Libraries:
University of East London, Computer Library and Lecture Theatre, London – UK 2009
Construction Cost £5.5m
Literature:
Stratford Campus, University Of East London, By Richard Murphy Architects Architects' Journal 03 Jun 2010
Top 50 Clients - Education Riba Journal November 2006
Our third commission from the University of East London, this building accommodates 400 computers organised in approximately
groups of 30 for both teaching and open access, a 400 seat lecture theatre, seminar rooms and a University entrance foyer. The ‘L’
shape plan forms two sides of the proposed central college green at the heart of the reorganised campus in Stratford (the other two
sides formed by the rear of the existing University house and our recently completed Department of Podiatry and Physiotherapy).
The building also acts as a block to the currently dominant Arthur Edwards building and forms a gateway to a second University
quadrangle. Internally, the foyer doubles as a gathering space for the 400 seat lecture theatre immediately above and is also freely
connected to the computer facility. This is organised as a two storey galleried space and allows students to look out onto the college
green. It is hoped with the eventual construction of a new University learning resource centre that the Computer and Conference
Centre will also be linked to this facility. (Murphy)
Kirkintilloch Adult Learning Centre – UK 2009
Phase 1 Architects Richard Murphy, Bill Black, David Stronge, Phase 2 Architects Richard Murphy, Bill Black, David McPeak,
David Stronge, Construction Cost £5.35m, Client East Dumbartonshire Council and Strathkelvin Development Company
Awards
2003 Civic Trust Award Commendation
The aim of the project was to provide an open learning environment which draws in potential students from all sectors of society and
also provides a new home for the classes already located within Kirkintilloch by Strathkelvin Further Education Centre. The
building houses an open learning "resource" centre, as well as more traditional teaching rooms, giving learning opportunities and
vocational courses for people who missed out on further education or who want to return to it later in life. A major emphasis within
this idea is the use of computers as an electronic library as well as for teaching basic computer skills.
The site forms part of the narrow strip of ground between the Forth-Clyde Canal and Southbank Road in the centre of Kirkintilloch.
The canal bank itself slopes steeply into the water and was previously covered in trees and scrub vegetation.
The building is laid out as a linear plan with a two storey block to the south side housing classrooms and offices. Against this sits a
lean-to structure which houses the open learning facilities and projects out onto the canal bank.
The entrance to Phase 1 (previously to one end of the linear plan) is now positioned in the centre of the completed building. The
reception orientates the visitor and first time student within the main double-height space, allowing a clear reading of the building to
be made with the majority of the classrooms and computer resource space to the left and the café and other administration offices to
the right. A void behind the reception, through which the stair descends past a seated area, which protrudes out over the canal,
makes connection to the lowest level which houses the open resource areas.
The main open learning space looks over the canal with a series of triangular bays forming workspaces almost among the trees
retained on the canal bank Access to the classrooms and other facilities is from an open gallery on each floor, the aim being that all
activities take place in the open learning area except individual classes. The classrooms then face out to Southbank Road with the
upper level rooms sitting beneath a light weight roof edge and clerestory windows. The lean-to roof and the classroom roof are
separated by a continuous roof light which allows sunlight into the main space, controlled by moveable shading systems.
The roofs are intended to form a simple datum below which the planes and levels within the building are arranged to give a dynamic
composition to section and facades. The canal bank will be replanted so that the building is amongst trees. This should maintain the
wildlife corridor of the canal as it comes into the semi-urban town centre.
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