Light Touch Library Refurbishments

AMA’s David Jenkin gave a presentation on ‘Light Touch Library Refurbishments’ at AMA on Tuesday. He explained how AMA has been helping Southwark council to transform three of its libraries: Will Alsop’s iconic Peckham Library, Dulwich Library, and currently Blue Anchor Library in Bermondsey.

AMA has been able to improve library facilities these locations substantially, with modest budgets. Through rearranging of shelving, relocating help desks and other facilities, making better use of daylight, and providing some artwork, it was possible to alter the look and feel of these libraries significantly. Previously, this simple approach to design was employed for the refurbishment of John Harvard Library, which AMA led in 2009/10.

In stark contrast to most boroughs, Southwark Council has an ongoing programme to improve the quality of their libraries and have recently opened their new Canada Water Library, while Camberwell Library is under construction.

AMA has a wide range of expertise in library design, and was involved in  the design and renovation of public and university libraries at international, national, regional, and local scale.

Dulwich Library (left), Peckham library (centre and right)
Photos: C. Ford, M. Allport, X. McGinnly

Two New Libraries opened in San Diego and Birmingham

Notices of the death of libraries are premature: Contrary to predictions, far from fading away, libraries are more important and vigorous then ever. This month, two large new city libraries have opened to public acclaim in Birmingham and San Diego. Both projects are of an ambitious scale: The San Diego Central Library has a total floor area of 46,000 sq m, and the Library of Birmingham 35,000 sq m. Both are fitted out with modern technology, have facilities such as cafés, and some other intriguing facilities: the Library of Birmingham has a rooftop garden and an amphitheatre, and shares the building with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre; the San Diego Central Library has a sculpture garden and an art gallery as integral parts, and shares the building with a local high school.

Elsewhere, new local libraries are being built, like the recently opened Canada Water library in South-East London, while existing libraries are being refurbished. Urban libraries have turned into ‘urban living rooms’ where people study, work, and socialise, though their original function – a repository of printed books – is still important, as only a small fraction of books has been digitised. The holdings of modern libraries are increasingly varied, adding recorded and sheet music, videos, artwork, board games and changing exhibits.

The crucial point is that libraries that adapt to new technology and changing user requirements have increasing visitor numbers. It is not uncommon for visitor numbers to double after library refurbishments, as in the case of the John Harvard Library in Southwark (AMA survey, 2010), which was redesigned and extended recently, led by AMA Alexi Marmot Associates.

Library of Birmingham (left), San Diego Central Library (right)
(photos: Alexi Marmot, Jimmy Juano)

Southwark Council's New Contact Centre Opened

Southwark Council opened their new in-house contact centre in Queens Road, Peckham on 15 August 2013. The quality of the working environment received very positive comments in the speeches given by Council Leader Cllr Peter John, Deputy Mayor Cllr Sunil Chopra, Head of Customer Experience Richard Selley and three apprentices.

AMA has been working closely with the Council on the design of three adjacent local facilities at Queens Road, and this was the second one to open. The third is currently on site and due to be occupied in early 2014.

For further information click on the Contact Centre, click here and here.

Happy New Year

Was 2012 the 'year of the refurbishment?'  We ended the year with the completion of a variety of educational, civic and library refurbishments. Below is a sample of some of our many projects from last year. For more information on these click here. We will keep updating you as we progress our current work in 2013.

Sample of AMA projects in 2012
Copyright © AMA 2013, Mike Allport 2013