Library Buildings around the World

London Borough Enfield, Fore Street Library – UK 2008
The primary objective of this library is to create relax, friendly atmosphere by coming away from traditional library design.
a single storey shop unit – a former “Blockbusters´“ video store – has been converted into the Fore Street Public Library,
designed to maximize the exposure of the Borough´s Library service by locating it at the heart of a busy shopping street in
Edmonton, London for the London Borough of Enfield.
University of Kent Library, Canterbury– UK 2008
( http://www.kent.ac.uk/is/projects/review/pdf/TemplemanLibraryOptionsAppraisalFINALSepto8.pdf )
This project allows the University to take the first steps towards remodelling the University´s Templeman Library facility
and analyses a number of options for development so that the University can understand their implications and integrate
them within the Estates Strategy and masterplan. The appraisal indentified options with estimated costs; examined how
the physical work required for each option could be carried out; reported on the condition of the existing fabric, finishes
and services of the building that will address the need for essential repair or work to comply with any regulatory failures;
and provided a whole life cost study to establish the energy efficiency of the building and proposals for reducing energy
consumption. (Shepheard)
University of Liverpool Library – UK 2008
Project team Architect: Shepheard Epstein Hunter; project team: Andrew Long, Nick Hufton, Jason Rivers, Renato Pimenta,
Steven Pidwill, Nawed Khan, Michael Fortune, Emily Hall, Emily Barnes, Vivian Varvara Pashiali, Sapna Shah; structure: Gifford;
qs: EC Harris; CDM co-ordinator: AA Projects; acoustics: Azymuth Acoustics; landscape: Shepheard Epstein Hunter with Annabel
Downs; clerk of works: Steve Smith; project manager: Mace; main contractor: Wates; client: University of Liverpool/Sydney Jones
Library. Photos: Peter Durant.
Shepheard Epstein Hunter (SEH) has won planning permission for a major new library at the University of Liverpool.The £20
million project will link Basil Spence's Sydney Jones Library, built in 1974, and the late 1960s Senate House, designed by Tom
Mellor. Both buildings will be adapted and refurbished as part of a larger scheme to create a combined central library facility
for the university. SEH's new link building will provide space for helpdesks and information points and will enable access to both
buildings across all three storeys. Once complete the three buildings will enclose a new urban space - dubbed the 'library plaza'.
This square will boast a new café terrace and will replace the existing, steeply sloped forecourt to the Sydney Jones Building.
The project is scheduled to start on site in spring 2006.
Shepheard Epstein Hunter has recently completed a £17m scheme that connects two noteworthy twentieth century buildings at the
heart of the University of Liverpool campus. A new link building, situated between the Sydney Jones Library by Basil Spence (1974)
and Senate House by Tom Mellor (1968), enables the university to double the size of its library and provide a facility befitting its
status as a leading centre for research, writes Shepheard Epstein Hunter. The three buildings form a square or ‘library plaza’ in
place of the unsatisfactory and rather drab forecourt that previously fronted the Spence building. Senate House (renamed the
Abercromby Wing) has been completely remodelled and refurbished, and now forms the university library entrance. It comprises a
main reception, issue desk, short-loan collection, law library, postgraduate study facilities, a dedicated IT suite and staff office
facilities.
The building was vacated in spring 2006, prior to a complete strip-out, demolition works and extensive asbestos removal. The floors
were strengthened to allow bookstack loading and the construction of a new plant room. Structural defects to the existing cantilevers
were repaired and a high aluminous cement survey was undertaken with remedial action.
Originally accessed from the north facade, the entrance is now situated to the south off the new library plaza. This creates a
presence for the library on the new square, providing access for all. Adjacent to the entrance is a new cafe and terrace, which creates
a social focus for students, staff and visitors. The ground floor, formally a fully-enclosed gallery space, has been opened up, allowing
the reception area and casual reading space to flow into the atrium and link building. This also creates views from the existing
atrium to the landscaped gardens of Abercromby Square.
The character of the two central atria has been maintained and enhanced, while the floor plates have been completely reconfigured.
Cellular offices and corridor walls on all floor levels were removed, creating large open-plan spaces for book-stacks and study areas.
Where new offices or group study rooms were required, glazed partitions have been installed to allow natural light and views to the
outside. The original timber cladding to the second floor of the atria has been retained and refurbished, with new openings providing
views into the atria. These also improve user orientation and increase daylighting. Timber veneer doors enhance and complement
the use of wood by the original architect.
The atria ceiling slats, which were removed due to asbestos contamination, were replaced with visually alike items. Solar film was
added to the atria glazing to reduce the risk of glare in the newly created IT area in the north atrium. The first floor balcony is
enclosed with a glazed screen for sound segregation and to improve safety.
The west facade of the building provides the connection point for the new link building. The integrity of the facade is largely
retained, with existing brickwork and window openings still visible from the link building and the new atrium that separates the two
structures. Structural glazing creates a clear visual separation and accommodates building movement. Additional loading on Senate
House is minimised by suspending the new stair from the link building on cables. Compressible bearings are also used where the
stair flights come into contact with the existing structure.
The link building completes the new square, reconciling the different levels between the two existing buildings, and providing easy
single-point access to the enlarged library facility. It houses the reference collection and academic liaison help desks, as well as places
for meeting and casual reading.
The Sydney Jones Building (renamed the Grove Wing), which contains the main arts and humanities book collection, has been
refurbished on a floor-by-floor basis. The upper floors have new single person and group study rooms, as well as traditional reading
spaces and casual meeting areas. The special collections and archives area has been transformed with an environmentally controlled
reading room with display cases, a seminar/teaching room and reception area on the ground floor. This provides a much needed
presence and prominence within the facility.
This project links and upgrades two noteworthy twentieth century buildings in the heart of the campus to double the size of the
library facility. The remodelling of the Sydney Jones Library (Basil Spence, 1974) and the former Senate House (Tom Mellor, 1968)
includes the construction of a new link building that reconciles the different levels and provides easy access to the enlarged library.
The relationship of the buildings forms a new urban square or Library Plaza.
The brief from university libarian Phil Sykes was ‘to design a building that reflects the status of Liverpool as a leading research
university with a proud history and a great future’. The new facility had to provide an inspiring entrance, cafe, main reception, issue
desk, dedicated short-loan collection, law library, postgraduate study facilities, a dedicated IT suite, teaching rooms, a variety of
study spaces to meet the needs of varied students, additional book stack space, a new special collections and archives reading room
and reception, plus all associated staff office facilities.
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