Liverpool Central Library, Liverpool

The Liverpool Central Library and Archive Project is a unique and prestigious scheme within the heart of Liverpool’s World Heritage Site. The project provides a new 8000m2 library and specialist archive and restores 4000m2 of Grade II * Listed historic buildings on William Brown Street.

The project has created a world class Library within this group of internationally important civic buildings.

It provides a new cultural destination, a thrilling visitor experience and a library and archive of the highest quality.

Arranged around an exciting full height atrium, the new 6-storey building gives the City of Liverpool a library for the 21st Century. The new floors connect to the historic Picton Library, the Hornby Library and Oak Room giving these areas a new lease of life and bringing them into full public use. A new archive repository provides storage for Liverpool’s most valuable collections and includes first class facilities for preservation and research.

Procured through the PFI route, the main objective of the design has been to provide a suite of spaces that supports the ‘New Service Concept’ for the Library. The design achieves an energy efficient and sustainable solution for new library and archive areas and repairs the historic parts of the building to the highest conservation standards.

The project includes the sensitive restoration of the Library’s key historic assets, the Picton Library, the Hornby and Oak Libraries, and the Picton International has been transformed into a new and vibrant space for children and young people.

The project has involved the demolition of buildings from the 1950s and 1970s which were regarded as sub-standard and a barrier to the provision of the New Service Concept with which the Central Library wished to operate.

New construction has taken place behind the retained listed façade to William Brown Street. A new entrance has been formed in the façade in line with guidance from English Heritage and this will become the Library’s new front door. Sensitive re-landscaping of the Library’s forecourt will lead visitors to the new front door and increase the Library’s presence in this important group of cultural buildings.

At roof level the new atrium is crowned with a new glazed dome and a new roof terrace is formed giving fantastic views across the city’s roofscape.

For more information visit www.austinsmithlord.com