This landmark building in the market town of Wymondham was designed by NPS in close consultation with the District Council’s design and conservation specialists. It is a modern and welcoming library that fits in well with the historic character of the town.
Details
Structural Engineering: Cameron Taylor
Principal Contractor: Morgan Ashurst
Full Description
The new library replaces the former library that was housed in a 12th century chapel that was unable to respond to the needs of a growing town. The new 1,500 m² building is double the size of the previous library, and houses an extra 5,000 books.
The layout plan is three fan segments with stepped roof levels, radiating from a circular rotunda at one corner of the building. The shape conforms to the sloping topography of the landscape. The structure, which is a visible feature on the inside of the building, uses ‘glulam’ engineered beams. They are a hybrid of 50% timber and 50% steel, aesthetically pleasing and able to span long distances.
The exterior walls use red brickwork and flint, reflecting the construction of the walls flanking the adjoining street. A large glazed frontage addresses a new public space between the library and the adjoining community hall. The library is fully accessible for people with disabilities, and and has proven to be an excellent location for hosting local events.
Structural engineers Scott Wilson won the ‘Structural Excellence’ category in the Institute of Structural Engineers East Anglian branch awards in 2008. In the time after the town’s library transferred to the new building, visits increased by 73%, book issues rose by 136%, and new library memberships rose by over 1,200%.