The existing building has been frequently adjusted in its lifetime. Our approach was 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.

Our designs have created 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, phased solution has created 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 creating a cultural avenue, linking the existing theatre and architecture school.

The project has achieved BREEAM Excellent.