Library Buildings around the World

The building as a whole was completed in February 2009. (Murphy)
Computer Center, Merchiston Campus, Napier University, Edinburgh – UK 2001
Awards:
RIBA Award 2003
Scottish Design Award 2003
The University wished to enhance its present computer teaching facilities with the provision of a new 24 hour-access 'computer
centre' within its existing campus buildings at Merchiston. It centralises 500 workstations and provides support space for technicians
and computer servers together with ancillary accommodation. The new centre is intrinsically linked to the existing university
buildings which surround it (there are no elevations), although a separate entrance will however give both open access to students 24
hours a day and provide it with a separate visually identifiable presence. The brief was very simple and yet a room of 500 terminals
with no clear subdivision or defined circulation could have been a daunting prospect. We elected to immediately subdivide into a
matrix of 5 x 4 bays defined laterally by five parallel barrel vaults and longitudinally by a stepped hillside of four terraces. A tartan
grid of circulation weaves its way between, under valley gutters in one direction and vaults of light in the other. The whole is
supported on clusters of columns and the entire composition is surrounded by light from hidden perimeter roof lights where there
are also ramped access routes. The vaults themselves are lit from the sides by sunlight reflected upwards so that sunlight doesn't fall
onto computer screens. Placed centrally within the matrix is the main support desk, providing them with both a commanding overall
view of the facility and also of the main entrances. (Murphy)
Eric Parry Architects, London – UK
http://www.ericparryarchitects.co.uk
Libaries:
Bedford School Library, Bedford – UK 2003
₤ 1.200.000
Awards:
National Design Award Civic Trust 2005
In October 2000 Eric Parry Architects were invited to take part in a RIBA competition to design a new library building for Bedford
School. We won the competition and were appointed in January 2001. The site for the new library is on the staff car park to the west
of the existing school library. The library addresses the range of main school buildings, establishing a front elevation that works
around the existing library rather than behind it. A sequence of spaces within the library progress from the informal lobby housing
the newspapers and journals, through to the quieter study areas facing the garden. From a single front elevation the building splits
into two wings. To the south is the quiet study area with a seminar room above. To the north is the two storey library with a
mezzanine accessed by stair or lift. The library was officially opened in January 2004 by Poet Laureate Andrew
Motion. (Parry)
John Pawson Ltd., London – UK
http://www.johnpawson.com
Libraries:
Design Museum, London – UK 2014
….Due to open to the public in 2014, the £80 million plans include galleries for permanent and temporary exhibition spaces, an
auditorium and a library, which will accompany a separate housing development by Dutch firm OMA.
The former Commonwealth Institute, which was completed in the 1960s, hasn't been used for over ten years but will retain its
hyperbolic paraboloid roof structure in the refurbishment.
New glazed entrances will lead in towards the galleries located on the ground floor, basement and second floor, giving the museum
three times the exhibition space of its current home at Shad Thames on the Southbank….
(http://www.dezeen.com/2012/01/24/design-museum-by-john-pawson)
Penoyre & Prasad Architects LLP, London – UK
http://www.penoyre-prasad.net
Libraries:
Templeman Library at Kent University Extension, Canterbury – UK 2014
Client University of Kent, Value £12m extension / £10.5m refurbishment, Completed 2014
Our competition-winning design for the new £12m extension to Templeman Library at Kent University, Canterbury, will provide a
5,200m2 extension to the existing library, and refurbishment of the original building designed by Lord Holford (*22.03.1907
Johannesburg/South Africa - + 17.10.1975 London) and constructed in three phases between 1965 and 1990.
The existing building has been frequently adjusted in its lifetime. Our approach is to reveal its hidden strengths by:
—Removing sections of floor structure at each level in the central core of the building to let in daylight and create views through the
building.
—Replacing the glazing with curtain walling to weave the new extension and the existing building into one volume.
—Design fitted furniture pieces to punctuate the existing space and combine with flexible mobile furniture to enable easy access to
power and data.
The proposals will create a vibrant contemporary building for study, interaction and exploration, bringing together a variety of
reader spaces, versatile collection and exhibition space, and a distinctive resin clad 250 seat lecture theatre. The treatment of the
extension façade inverts the balance of the original brutalist architecture of the building to create a strong and holistic architectural
identity.
This long-term, easily-phased solution will create a step change in quality across the whole library development to re-emphasise its
enduring and pivotal role within the campus. The newly enhanced ‘lawn entrance’ to the south is combined with improvements
made to the north of the building which will create a cultural avenue, linking the existing theatre and architecture school.
The project aims to achieve BREEAM Excellent.
Construction of the extension and first phase of the refurbishment is due for completion in September 2014. (Penoyre)
49