The brief
A foundation wanted to gather three small village libraries into one building with reading rooms, an archive and a hall for lectures. The site they chose was an old granite quarry.
We placed most of the building into the quarry face. Only the entrance and a spiral stair tower rise above the ground.
The stone keeps the archive cool and quiet. We only had to let the light in.Nadia Hassan, associate
Material and structure
Concrete made with crushed granite from the site lines the reading rooms. Light wells bring daylight deep into the plan and frame small pieces of sky.
- Aggregate from the quarry itself
- Archive kept stable without mechanical cooling
- Reading room for 120 with views into the quarry
On site
The shell is complete and the interior fit out started in spring. Opening is planned for the autumn term.
