RBKC Central Library (Building Design Partnership)

While employed by Building Design Partnership, involvement on this unrealised project commenced during the briefing / concept stages and included the role of lead architect.

This project represented the sensitive refurbishment and adaptation of Vincent Harris’ 1960’s Grade II* Listed, high-profile building to secure its long-term effective use.

The scheme involved the restoration of the architecturally significant areas, namely the ground floor lending library, the first floor reference library and the timber-lined lecture theatre (lower ground level). The proposals focused on supplementing these important areas with supporting facilities to encourage their increased use.

The key moves were to introduce voids within the existing floor slabs, implement a largely naturally-ventilated environmental strategy and to change the entry sequence to match the primary direction of approach from Kensington High Street..