Insight 2017

Michaelmas 2017 10
We last wrote for Insight in 2015 at the outset of the
archaeological and enabling works prior to the
commencement of the main building contract. The subsequent
two years have seen the completion of this preliminary work,
the completion of the new building and, lastly, the reworking
of the existing Lower Library. At time of writing the remainder
of the collections were being moved into the new spaces and
the entire build is now fully operational.
Looking back, RMA commenced work on a scheme for The
Queen’s College Library project in 2006 following a two-stage
design competition. Our work has included detailed designs
f o r b o t h t h e
refurbishment of the
Upper and Lower
Library (completed in
2013); designs for the
large subterranean
extension that is the
New Library and
alterations to the
Lower Library. The
latter has allowed us to
create a generous new
entrance space, and
install a bespoke lift,
which connects the An early design concept montage
new and old buildings.
In the 40-year history of Rick Mather Architects, the project,
one of the last that Rick worked on, is one of our most
significant. For the office it is significant in terms of the
challenge posed by the site: its rich and ancient history; the
precious medieval walls; the Grade 1 listed Library it adjoins
and the magnificent buildings that it extends.
The project is also significant in terms of what it achieves;
extending a landlocked Library where all possible contiguous
(and otherwise) extensions had been considered and found
unfeasible. Furthermore, realizing a scheme that works on
paper is a further challenge in practice. Given the logistical,
planning, archaeological, heritage and physical parameters the
large team feel that the project has built a (near) impossible
building.
The design
The new building and its connection to the existing 1692
Library is a bespoke building in all regards.
The construction has employed 21st Century technologies
allied with traditional trades and crafts to create a crisp and
simple contemporary design and the conservation of historic
spaces; equally marrying large-format, frameless glass with rich
tailor-made oak carpentry.
The designs include a new ground floor entrance; a reworked
Lower Library and a new 8000sq/ft. below-ground extension
containing vital new facilities. The Library extension contains
extensive storage and plant facilities in the western half and a
new reading room and office in the eastern half where all
spaces are bathed in natural light. The effective use of every
millimetre was carefully considered and the building was
planned to maximize use of all walls and corners. In total the
design creates 18 new distinct ‘spaces’ for the Library and
associated Archive. In summary, the project has provided:
A new Reading Room
The reading room is the major new addition to the library. The
r o o m
provides a
light and open
space for 36
users. It is top
lit by a large
new roof
light, which
emits natural
light into the
new building
w h i l s t
a f f o r d i n g
The new reading room
views to the west elevation of the existing Library. Space is
maximized with shelving fitted against all walls. The Reading
Room also gives access to two extensive areas of open book
storage. Firstly, the open shelves; these flank the Reading
Room and entrance and house half of the main circulating
collection. They are configured to guide visitors through the
new spaces; the shelves tapering to open the vista to the
Reading Room. Secondly, and adjoining the Reading Room on
the north and east side, are two linear spaces of roller racking
to maximize storage and house the library’s reserve collections.
Historic Collections and Archive Store
Deep within
t h e n e w
building is the
H i s t o r i c
C o l l e c t i o n s
and Archive
Store, which
provides space
f o r t h e
c o l l e g e ’ s
s i g n i f i c a n t
a n t i q u a r i a n
collection in a
secure and
temperature
c o n t r o l l e d
environment.
The design of
the space
c o m b i n e s
Some of the historic collections in the new HCAS
p r a c t i c a l i t y
and aesthetics;
maximizing storage but with a clean, simple look in deliberate
contrast to the rich material it houses. The HCAS is provided
with its own secure Reading Room; the Feinberg Room which
borrows light from the large main roof light and has space for
up to 4 Special Collections Readers to use simultaneously.