Newcastle City Library Case Study
Student ID: 14002245 Tutor: Kevin Elliott Module Number: BE1340
Content
INTRODUCTION DATA THE ARCHITECTS HISTORY OF NEWCASTLE CENTRAL LIBRARY 1882 1960 LOCATION AND NEAREST LANDMARKS NEAREST LANDMARKS EMPLOYERS’ REQUIREMENTS DESIGN BRIEF DESIGN TEAM DESIGN LANGUAGE PROPORTION SCALE RHYTHM COLOR BUILDING FUNCTION MATERIALS EMPLOYED THE FAÇADE REFERENCING
Introduction
Newcastle City Library is one of the largest libraries in the UK. The building has completed in 2009 by Newcastlebased company Ryder Architecture. The six storey building has a grand four-storey entrance lobby, making the orientation and visual connection throw space offers a wide range of services. Newcastle City Library has become a community meeting point and landmark, offering a wide range of facilities such as cafĂŠ, nursery, study and meeting space. The library building has a design Award in 2009. (Council, 2016) The use of contemporary building design, materials and planning, featuring as transparent building with clean and modern looking. The architect has created a model for 21 st century library. (Europe, 2016)
Data
Completed: Mar 2009 Floor area: 8,300m2 Sectors: Civic, Arts and culture Total cost: ÂŁ24M Funding: Private Finance Initiative Address: City Library, Charles Avison Building, 33 New Bridge Street West, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8AX, United Kingdom (Limited et al., 2013)
Location And Nearest Landmarks Location Charles Avison Building, 33 New Bridge St W, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8AX The library located in the heart of Newcastle city centre, which can be easily accused by public transport. It stands at the intersection of John Dopson Street and New Bridge Street, surrounded by walkways that access throws Princess square to Nearest landmarks Northumberland Street. The location also closes to many other important building and landmarks such as The Laying Art Gallery: located The Art gallery, Grey’s Monument, Tyneside Cinema just straight ahead from East also Northumbria University. side of the library at John Dobson Street, also The Blue Carpet area. Princess Squire: is the area where access to the building from the North side. Northumberland Street: from the West via a tiny ally, just 1 minutes walk. Grey’s Monument: is away for 3-4 minutes walk.
The Architects
The success of the building mostly has made by Ryder Architecture, which designed a building for the 20th century to meet the client brief for a building that designed in high standard. Ryder Architecture vision was to develop the space to deliver a reachable and open library to let the local community get inspired by. The previous library was hated from local, that made Ryder’s team designed a transparent building to show the internal activities. The glass façade allows visual contact throw the surrounding space. (Lomholt and admin, 2009)
History of Newcastle Central Library 1882 The Victorian library opened in 1882. In order to the local demand and need for books, with mostly one-third of the readers aged around 14-20 in the early years. (Phethean, 2009) the library was built on New Bridge Street with Victorian appearance and system. (Phethean, 2009) when the council were working to develop and redesign the area, the old library stood in the way of the proposed street which known as John Dopson Street, so the council decided to knock it down. At the 1960s the library was closed to the public and the Chief Librarian thought light fabrication ‘a waste of money’ (Phethean, 2009)
(Photos: The Library Book, 2010)
‘Was victorian... The main building had an imposing facade of stone carvings... The entrance hall had a very good italian mosaic floor, laid by italian workmen brought in especially.’ Arthur wallace, Former city librarian (phethean, 2009
1960 In The 60S, The City Wanted A Library That Accommodates Plenty Of Space And Reading Rooms, Which Can Be Run With The Minimum Of Stuff Required. The Architect Sir Basil Spencer Has Nominated To Design The New Building At The Time.
‘The hopes and plans for the future, trying to futureproof the building, all were evident in the ‘60s’. Barbara heathcote, Librarian (phethean, 2009)
In The 1960S, Concrete Was The Modern And Fashionable Material, The Library Designed Around Large Scale Walkways, Making The First Floor Lifted In Midair, Which Was Not Accessible. The Walkway Has Made To Divide Pedestrians To Walk Above The Street Level And Make Cars Way Underneath. Many Of These Walkways Still Exist Until Today. (Phethean, 2009) The Building Has Described As A Failure, Which Never Been Engaged With The Appearance Around, Even Was Not Fixable For Modern Developments.
‘As the concrete frame starts to crumble, the reinforcement behind starts to expand and rust, then the concrete blows off even more.’ Ian kennedy (Phethean, 2009) ‘We were quoted £4 million to create a temporary city library because of the work to any existing building, the rent and then to undo all that work when we left. It would have kept services stable for the three years but you would have had a floorless on the new city library for 60 plus years.’ Tony durcan, Head of culture, libraries and lifelong learning (phethean, 2009)
(Photos: The Library Book, 2010)
Employers’ Requirements Design Brief To create a space for reading, learning, researching, relaxing, meeting and working Ryder Architecture liaised with the Design Team to ensure an efficient interior and exterior design. (Council, 2016)
1Visibility: the library must be visible from the Monument, a large façade with ‘Library’ sign on New Bridge Street. The library should have an entrance from Princess square and visible sign from Northumberland Street through Northumberland Place. 2Transparency: The passers should be able to see into the building, to be attracted by. Large areas of the building can be seen through the glazed façade. 3Self-service: the aim identified as to make the library self-serviced as 100%. Although, the staff will be available if the help needed. 4- Making treasures available: The City Library has a large number of the city history books and a unique stuff which requires special care and display. 5Easy to self-orientate: the level of transparency allows the visitors to ease navigate into the building from New Bridge Street and find their target facility by the open plan in level 1. 6Delight and inspire: the design brief required a building that inspires the city. (Council, 2016)
(Photos: The Library Book, 2010)
Design 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 (Europe, 2016)
Design language Proportion Dominating the area of Princess square and John Dobson Street, Newcastle City library takes a very different form to its ancestor. From the start the client’s aim was to ensure the building was more visible and noticeable from the city centre, on the drawing board, this was achieved by introducing illuminating glass envelopes on both the east and south facade. From the 1st to 5th floor, there is an overhang to the South East corner of the building which allows for an interior viewing box giving views over the city. Horizontal louvres scale the inner south façade allowing sunlight to penetrate the building without the possibility of overheating. The north and West facades detail a combination of curtain walling and metal rain-screen cladding creating a contemporary but simple facade overpowering the surrounding concrete structures. (Project, 2015) The use of bold block shapes within the design of the external envelope ensures the building dominates the surrounding area allowing the proportion and scale of the building to advance the design by allowing sunlight and heat through the unprotected eastern façade during the morning sun. Whereas at night the interior of the building illuminates the surrounding area, pulling all attention towards the picturesque finish. (Project, 2015)
(Photos: The Library Book, 2010)
Design language Scale
The scale of Newcastle library is advanced using large continuous facades along all facades of the building. The large structural elements draw attention to allowing the passer-by to integrate into its use. The fact the building is larger than the majority of its surroundings and is located on the corner of john Dobson and New Bridge Street meant the design of the building fulfilled the aims set out to dominate and overlook its area of the city centre. (Project, 2015)
(Photos: The Library Book, 2010)
Design language Rhythm
Rhythm and flow can be seen throughout the building. Both internally and externally the building’s design flows to allow its users to understand how the building functions. This can be shown on the eastern elevation where access throughout the building can be seen externally. (Project, 2015)
(Photos: The Library Book, 2010)
Design language Color
Colour is always key to ensure a building can make a statement within its surroundings. However, the transparent nature of the eastern and southern facades meant that the design had to draw the majority of the attention. During the day, the eastern external envelope shows the bright and vibrant internal spaces of the building, whereas at night this facade is illuminated and the true art and beauty of the building is expressed. This illuminated elevation has a huge impact, enhanced by the work of artist Kathryn Hodgkinson who created a vast, screen-printed design covering the facade. (Project, 2015) Colours are usually used within a building’s design to create a division between different sectors. This can be seen on the southern elevation where the glazing surrounding the main door has a dark blue tint which works as a breaker. (Project, 2015)
(Photos: The Library Book, 2010)
Building Function Level 1 The entry level floor of the library is almost 60% of the floor area 855 m2, included information services, loading and unloading areas, facilities such as stairs, left, toilets and some rooms. (Council, 2016) Level 2 Level 2 has alternative functions; it occupies three areas, a big exhibition hall, nursery and cafĂŠ. Furthermore, allied facilities stairs, toilets, lifts and also firefighting area which located intelligently. (Council, 2016) Level 3 Level 3 is the leisure floor which holds fiction information and music areas. Moreover, a large space for children, also nursery rooms with the allied facilities. (Council, 2016) Level 4 The digital facilities are located on this floor such as digital theatres and reference browsing areas. As well as, staff offices and server rooms. (Council, 2016) Level 5 Level 5 covers an approximate area of 575 m2. The floor occupies the central storeroom, boardroom, management office, staff kitchen and lounge, administration and executive offices. It is a general stack area. (Council, 2016)
Level 6 The level stores historical documents of Newcastle, history area covers 50% of the floor. Moreover, photographic archives and meeting rooms. (Council, 2016) Level 7 This level where all the plant equipment located, boiler room and rooftop plants rooms. (Council, 2016)
Materials Employed Ryder’s has chosen the building materials carefully at the design stage to represent contemporary nature. Also, the materials meet functional requirements of the building with enhancement of the outlook. (Follett, Minister, and Industries, no date) Ryder’s has chosen the building materials carefully at the design stage to represent contemporary nature. Also, the materials meet functional requirements of the building with enhancement of the outlook. (Follett, Minister, and Industries, no date) The east façade is 1,050 m2 faces John Dobson Street, the glazing made for wing sun to bright the interior and to provide some warmth to the building. Also allows passer to see the facilities and activities inside the building. The glaze decorated with some beautiful public art.
(Photos: The Library Book, 2010)
The Faรงade The external envelope of the building is initially repetitive; however, the transparency of the eastern and southern parts of the building allows a connection between internal and external spaces meaning the faรงades are almost nonapparent. The east faรงade is 1,050 m2 faces John Dobson Street, the glazing made allow the sun to bright the interior and to provide warmth the entire building. Also allows passer to see the facilities and activities inside the building. The glaze decorated with some beautiful public art. (Ryder,2009) The northern and western facades are also repetitive. However, there are certain elements which divide the faรงade drawing attention to the entrances. The entrance onto princess square, glazed from 1st to 5th floor, illuminates the upper foyer allowing flow throughout the building making it simple for users to map out their journey. Other dividing elements on the western faรงade are small windows, protected by vertical blades preventing overheating, which distract attention away from the repetitive materials. The contemporary black cladding is less of a statement than the rest of the building which allows the glazing and aluminium cladding to draw attention during day and night. The aluminium cladding on the northern and western facades reflect light giving the building a healthy glow which seems to illuminate the before dull princess square courtyard. The gentle colour on the vertical blades breaks up the repetitive colour of the facade giving the building more character and individuality. (Project, 2015) (Photos: The Library Book, 2010)
Refinances Council, N.C. (2016) City library. Available at: https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/ leisure-libraries-and-tourism/libraries/branch-libraries-and-opening-hours/citylibrary#facilities (Accessed: 20 October 2016). Europe, K. (2016) Newcastle libraries. Available at: https://www.kajima.co.uk/casestudies/newcastlelibrary/ (Accessed: 20 October 2016). Faulkner, T., Beacock, P., Jones, P., Photographs, T.Y. and Peacock, G. (2014) Newcastle and Gateshead: Architecture and heritage. Liverpool: Tyne Bridge Publishing. Follett, B., Minister and Industries, C. (no date) Testimonials. Available at: http:// www.ryderarchitecture.com/projects/newcastle-city-library.htm?sector=Civic (Accessed: 21 October 2016). Limited, E.P., 7880758, C. number, England, address, R., Group, T.R.O., Prow, T. and Walk, W. 1 (2013) AJBL - Ryder architecture. Available at: http://www. ajbuildingslibrary.co.uk/projects/display/id/3550 (Accessed: 20 October 2016). Lomholt, I. and admin (2009) Newcastle city library, building. Available at: http:// www.e-architect.co.uk/newcastle/newcastle-city-library (Accessed: 20 October 2016). Phethean, E. (2009) A history of the city library in Newcastle. Newcastle upon Tyne: Tyne Bridge Publishing. Project, Z. (2015) Category: BE1380. Available at: https://ziggyproject.wordpress. com/category/be1380/ (Accessed: 21 October 2016). Ryder, 2009. City Library Newcastle - notes 2009. Newcastle upon tyne: Ryder Architects. Projects, A. (2013) Case study on Newcastle city council from AA projects. Available at: http://www.aaprojects.co.uk/case-study/36 (Accessed: 20 October 2016).