The Bartlett Library | Hawkins\Brown

Hawkins\Brown has now completed the refurbishment and fit-out of The Bartlett Library’s new home in the ground floor of the 1930’s Central House on Upper Woburn Place Bloomsbury. The library collection of over 30,000 architectural books and periodicals has been permanently relocated to this new faculty hub to allow for the major redevelopment of Wates House for the School of Architecture and the Built Environment.

The new design opened up the floor plate to provide 700 linear metres of new bookshelves, study spaces for over 60 students, a large central information point and dedicated offices for library staff. A large bespoke joinery display wall of birch plexiwood with brightly coloured insets of coral and pale blue creates a new identity for the library. New Vitra desking systems and study pods provide students with a quiet and intimate study spaces that complement the 30’s classical interior.

The comments from project architect, Euan McDonald, explains the ethos behind the scheme:

“Meanwhile, through opening up the original cellular interior of Central House and inserting bespoke joinery elements instead of walls, the space has been transformed into a welcoming, contemporary library housing The Bartlett’s extensive collection and a variety of study spaces.”

Alan Penn, dean of The Bartlett, UCL’s Faculty of the Built Environment, said: "We’re very pleased with the spaces at Hampstead Rd and Central House which have provided much improved accommodation for students and staff. We’re now very much looking forward to the redevelopment of Wates House which will continue the transformation of The Bartlett.”