Posted: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 12:53 pm

As leader of one of the UK’s largest architectural practices Peter Buchan has a passionate commitment to cultural and economic regeneration, in particular in his native North East of England. Peter graduated from Birmingham School of Architecture in 1977 and, following a number of years' experience in practice, became a director of the company in 1984. A great deal of his energy goes into shaping and evolving the core values and ethos of the company - something which is contributed to by every member but which is greater than any individual and has to be carefully nurtured. The pursuit of intelligent architecture, which is both inspiring and measurably functional, is a driving aim.  To this end he works to foster great design skills and a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to design. Peter has lectured and written widely.  He has a keen interest in the visual arts and regularly works with artists to integrate their work into the architectural design process.

Newcastle’s new City Library opened its doors to the public on 7 June 2009. One of the largest public libraries in the UK, the £24m building designed by Ryder Architecture, boasts 21st century facilities combined with inspirational places for reading, learning, researching, relaxing, meeting and working.

Ryder’s vision, and that of Newcastle City Council, has been to deliver an inviting, accessible and open library to inspire local, civic and regional pride. Whereas the previous library was an internalised structure, Ryder’s transparent design reveals the building’s internal activities. The glass façade allows people to see in to the marble floored atrium space, encouraging them to enter the library and explore further. An observation deck on the top floor, sponsored by Ryder, gives visitors spectacular views out over the city.

In addition to the impressive collection of more than 200,000 books (over 100,000 of these are new, highlighting the city’s commitment to encouraging reading), the six-storey building boasts state of the art facilities. Valuable items from the Tomlinson Library, the historic Newcastle Collection and a superb collection of original 18th century woodcuts and artefacts by the Northumbrian artist Thomas Bewick will be on display in reduced humidity display cases. The library will also provide a reference research area and a dedicated exhibition and performance space.

 Tony Durcan, Head of Culture, Libraries and Life Long Learning at Newcastle City Council says: “Our vision was to create an inviting, accessible and open library to inspire local, civic and regional pride. This remarkable building will support and enhance the city’s regional identity, encouraging the local community to re-engage with the wider region.”

 Craig Smailes, Development Manger at Kajima added: “Newcastle City Library is an exceptional building that maintains the Kajima philosophy of quality design, and we are delighted to have led the development alongside our consortium partners.  City centre libraries are buildings for the whole community in which to relax, work, study, play, read, learn, and socialise.”

John Luke, Contracts Manager from Tolent Construction said: “This has been an extremely challenging but rewarding project. Working with the other partners, we have transformed this restricted inner city site into a new landmark for the city of Newcastle. The project was a complex logistical exercise requiring great technical skill and we are delighted to have helped to deliver this wonderful new civic building on time and within budget.”

The library features a spectacular glazed steel frame grid, which forms the entire east (John Dobson Street) elevation. This glazed elevation has huge impact, enhanced by the work of artist Kathryn Hodgkinson who has created a vast, screen-printed design covering the façade entitled ‘Four Questions.’ Based on interviews with over 1,000 Newcastle residents focusing on their fears, hopes and dreams for the city, this reflects the collective thoughts of Newcastle’s people at the start of the 21st century. The images change subtly depending on lighting conditions throughout the day. Viewed from the inside and illuminated by sunlight, the images cast filtered light onto the stairs.  At night the images come alive as the elevation transforms into a giant 'light box'.

Art features prominently throughout the City Library. A new digital clock designed by Ryder will be projected on to one of the main entrance foyer walls. A new striking textile work which features a leaf design by Ali Rhind, sponsored by Ryder on behalf of the Tyne and Wear Community Foundation, hangs on the first floor. This proggy (rag) mat is a traditional textile form originally made by miners’ wives from cheap offcuts of material.

 Materials have been chosen to reinforce the building’s civic stature. The plinth and stair cores have been constructed from black polished masonry block solidly grounding the building. A sense of continuity with the previous library on the site has been maintained by using slate flooring from the Basil Spence library to line the walls of the area housing the Newcastle Collection.

 Ryder’s environmentally conscious solutions throughout the design embrace sustainability, whilst working within the budget and tight city centre site. The library has been designed to achieve BREEAM Very Good rating. The orientation and design of the extensive glazing is optimised to benefit the building and achieve transparency. For the east elevation the glazing (1,050 sq m) is unprotected so morning sun preheats the space. For the south elevation glazing (550 sq m) is protected by horizontal aluminium louvres (brises soleils) allowing sunlight to penetrate without overheating. For the west elevation facing Princess Square Ryder has specified a combination of curtain walling and metal rain-screen cladding providing a contemporary appearance. On this façade, smaller windows are protected by vertical blades to prevent overheating.

 New hard landscaping has transformed Princess Square, which was the main entrance to the previous library, creating a new sheltered external space in the heart of the city.  This attractive terraced area now allows outdoor café service in good weather and is visible through full height glazing from the café. 

Ryder has worked with the project partners to make best use of latest technologies in order to improve the visitor experience and provide access to digital skills and services.

 Team

PFI Consortium: Kajima Newcastle Libraries

Developer: Kajima Partnerships Limited

Architect: Ryder

Main contractor: Tolent Construction

Mechanical & electrical contractor: SES Limited

Structures: Mott MacDonald

Landscape: Robinson Limited

Mechanical & electrical consultant: White Young Green

Cost consultant: Turner & Townsend

Fire consultant: Jeremy Gardiner Associates

Access Consultants:  All Clear Design

 Peter Buchan spoke to Architects Choice about the completion of the library and what it represents for Newcastle.

 What is Ryder Architecture’s philosophy for design?

 Quite simply we believe that good design emerges from an understanding of peoples needs. Design act’s as a response to the users needs combined with the context of the build. With regards to the library, the main ingredient was space and light and with this in mind and the brief set by the client, we worked to achieve a useable space. The journey was a very collaborative one; all elements emerged and contributed to the frame that was put together. Internally, we work closely with other disciplines from the very beginning; everything is very integrated to ensure the best outcome. With engineering in particular, it is so important to combine this at an early stage so that the outcome is a sound one.

 The library worked well as a project on so many levels- being able to work with suppliers, contractors and service providers all the way through really contributes to the overall success of the project.

 What is your experience in designing for the public sector?

 Certainly over the last six or seven years we have focused on public sector architecture. Previously, we were very much a commercial-led practice, working a lot on office-based projects, we have now moved into the healthcare and education sector, also working on such projects as Building Homes for the Future.

 What considerations do you have to factor in when creating a space that incurs a high-volume of traffic?

 Our main considerations incur questions such as ‘how will they use it?’, ‘what is the people flow like throughout the building?’. A way-finding strategy was utilized and considerations for colour coding and signage were essential to the project layout. The Library project very much began with an organization of the plan and a sense of clarity, this then flowed throughout the design stages and is reflected in the overall finish. Simplicity in design was key for maintaining usability, the pubic needed to be able to read the building and understand it.

 Other considerations included the use of robust and hardwearing materials, the balance of acoustics and even the use of key furniture pieces.

 What was the main feeling that you wanted to evoke in the public? Does it make the task of designing more difficult when your client is, essentially, the public at large?

 The client was very clear that they wanted a lively atmosphere for the library, incorporating many different needs of all the different visitors. For example, the children’s area has been screened but its still part of the main room. The client sent us a very detailed set of requirements before we got involved. We were then able to step in and modify the plans, brainstorming new ideas that would still incorporate their required functional elements and this worked really well, we could fuse our architectural influences with their specifications for certain areas and of course a main structure to any library setup.

 Through this project we wanted to lift people’s spirits as they entered the library and inspire them in whichever direction the public may be taking.

 Were there any restrictions within the brief with relation to the original design of the building?

 With regards to the building regulations, we were very restricted. The site is that of a 1960’s building set in a landscape that was not to be encroached upon. We could not build out or too far up so this limited certain elements. Other restrictions include a budget constraint, but with all theses factors known from the offset, we were able to shape our design around these elements.

 Sustainability and eco-efficiency is such a major part of build and design projects now, how have you integrated eco-friendly measures into such a large space? And, what have you specifically designed with the library in mind for the future?

 This is part of what we do. From the very beginning, the fundamental elements of the plan incorporate carefully considered materials to create a whole sustainable effort. The glass façade operates on many levels; it is in place to impress the city that it spans over, to enhance the way-finding element of the library and to functionally operate as a heating method to the building, thus controlling solar gain. By integrating these sorts of functions into the building envelope, we can then extend this by looking at systems and measures in other areas of design later in the process.

 Take us through the use of materials, your reasons for choosing them and how they have enhanced the overall space, or have worked to create separation between different spaces?

 Externally our efforts were to create a timeless building with the right kind of civic presence. The glass is designed to speak to the city and this acts as the main façade, drawing the public in. Other materials used externally include a black, polished masonry block that has been deep rooted in the ground.

 Internally we wanted to create different feelings for different spaces. Limestone in the atrium continues the feeling of timelessness, it is also incredibly durable and hard-wearing. The rest of the library is carpeted in a neutral colour to create a flowing sense of unity. To differentiate some of the rooms, the carpet colours change, for example, the music room is in a bold pink to associate each room with its different function. Many f the other internal finishes are related to the wayfinding element of the library.

 Essentially we wanted to create a space that was timeless and flexible, so that over time it will continue to be used and adapted to its purpose.