Swiss Cottage Central Library
Encyclopedia
The Swiss Cottage Central Library is the central library of the public library
service in the London Borough of Camden
, and is housed in an architectural landmark building designed by Sir Basil Spence
.
It was first opened in 1964 at 88 Avenue Road, Swiss Cottage
, London NW3 3HA. The centre was originally intended to provide a new Civic Centre for what was then the Metropolitan Borough of Hampstead
with administration offices and a council chamber planned though with the reorganisation of local government in London
in 1964 this masterplan was abandoned and only the central library and adjoining swimming pool were built.
John McAslan
& Partners completed the on-site remodelling of the Grade II listed Swiss Cottage library, designed by Sir Basil Spence in 1962-64. The project was finished in 2003 and is part of a significant complex that includes Bennetts Associates’ Hampstead Theatre
and Farrell’s Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre.
The practice was appointed in 2000 following a two-stage selection procedure and developed the proposals in partnership with Camden London Borough Council
and a multi-disciplinary design team.
The library is at the heart of the Swiss Cottage site’s long-term redevelopment and was the first completed element in a scheme which embraces new residential, leisure and cultural facilities. The practice’s approach has been to expand the library’s key community assets and creative possibilities while still protecting the building’s 1960s landmark status.
A thorough cleaning restored the building’s powerful black and white geometric forms while sensitive refurbishment has equipped it for the electronic age.
The distinction between the original Spence building and McAslan’s new materiality is subtle and often imperceptible. The intention was to enhance the simple and intelligent logic of the building rather than to make obvious interventionism. This was deliberate as both practices adhere to modernism.
The primary changes are within the library interior. Framed glazed openings have been introduced at atrium level to increase the sense of accessibility and transparency. Wired glass has been replaced with clear Pyran glass to enhance the sense of cross visibility between the perimeter library area and the central atrium. In particular the original linking cross bridges have been stripped of their cluttered offices. They now supply informal seating spaces, a place for relaxation with periodicals and a café with a public internet facility on the second floor. An art gallery is situated on the first floor.
As an integral part of the site’s redevelopment, Camden Council appointed public art consultants (Modus Operandi) to research and write a Public Art Development Study and strategy for the site. These recommended a number of new artist commissions, including one for a new children’s library for which artist Laura Ford
created a new tailored space for children.
Laura Ford’s design draws inspiration from Ordnance Survey maps to create an environment encouraging children to explore the world of knowledge. The contoured carpet features familiar map references and the library activity areas continue the theme of trails, with a mountainous green leather sofa for storytelling, floating island-shaped computer desks and red-stained ply wigwams with natural light for reading. The children’s library has proved very popular and is actively used by local residents and children, with activities and events taking place throughout term-time and in school holidays.
Swiss Cottage Library is part of Open House 2011 organised by Open House London
which promotes appreciation of architecture by the general public.
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
service in the London Borough of Camden
London Borough of Camden
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough were already developed and had a total population of 96,795. This continued to rise swiftly throughout the 19th century, as the district became built up; reaching 270,197 in the middle of the century...
, and is housed in an architectural landmark building designed by Sir Basil Spence
Basil Spence
Sir Basil Urwin Spence, OM, OBE, RA was a Scottish architect, most notably associated with Coventry Cathedral in England and the Beehive in New Zealand, but also responsible for numerous other buildings in the Modernist/Brutalist style.-Training:Spence was born in Bombay, India, the son of Urwin...
.
It was first opened in 1964 at 88 Avenue Road, Swiss Cottage
Swiss Cottage
Swiss Cottage is a district of the London Borough of Camden in London, England. Thedistrict is located north-west of Charing Cross. It is centred on the junction of Avenue Road and Finchley Road and is the location of Swiss Cottage tube station.-Etymology:...
, London NW3 3HA. The centre was originally intended to provide a new Civic Centre for what was then the Metropolitan Borough of Hampstead
Metropolitan Borough of Hampstead
The Metropolitan Borough of Hampstead was a Metropolitan borough of the County of London from 1900 to 1965, when it was amalgamated with the Metropolitan Borough of St Pancras and the Metropolitan Borough of Holborn to form the London Borough of Camden....
with administration offices and a council chamber planned though with the reorganisation of local government in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1964 this masterplan was abandoned and only the central library and adjoining swimming pool were built.
John McAslan
John McAslan
John McAslan is a British architect. His firm John McAslan and Partners designed the "striking" British embassy in Algiers....
& Partners completed the on-site remodelling of the Grade II listed Swiss Cottage library, designed by Sir Basil Spence in 1962-64. The project was finished in 2003 and is part of a significant complex that includes Bennetts Associates’ Hampstead Theatre
Hampstead Theatre
Hampstead Theatre is a theatre in the vicinity of Swiss Cottage and Belsize Park, in the London Borough of Camden. It specialises in commissioning and producing new writing, supporting and developing the work of new writers. In 2009 it celebrates its 50 year anniversary.The original theatre was...
and Farrell’s Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre.
The practice was appointed in 2000 following a two-stage selection procedure and developed the proposals in partnership with Camden London Borough Council
Camden London Borough Council
Camden London Borough Council is the local authority for the London Borough of Camden in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in the United Kingdom capital of London...
and a multi-disciplinary design team.
The library is at the heart of the Swiss Cottage site’s long-term redevelopment and was the first completed element in a scheme which embraces new residential, leisure and cultural facilities. The practice’s approach has been to expand the library’s key community assets and creative possibilities while still protecting the building’s 1960s landmark status.
A thorough cleaning restored the building’s powerful black and white geometric forms while sensitive refurbishment has equipped it for the electronic age.
The distinction between the original Spence building and McAslan’s new materiality is subtle and often imperceptible. The intention was to enhance the simple and intelligent logic of the building rather than to make obvious interventionism. This was deliberate as both practices adhere to modernism.
The primary changes are within the library interior. Framed glazed openings have been introduced at atrium level to increase the sense of accessibility and transparency. Wired glass has been replaced with clear Pyran glass to enhance the sense of cross visibility between the perimeter library area and the central atrium. In particular the original linking cross bridges have been stripped of their cluttered offices. They now supply informal seating spaces, a place for relaxation with periodicals and a café with a public internet facility on the second floor. An art gallery is situated on the first floor.
As an integral part of the site’s redevelopment, Camden Council appointed public art consultants (Modus Operandi) to research and write a Public Art Development Study and strategy for the site. These recommended a number of new artist commissions, including one for a new children’s library for which artist Laura Ford
Laura Ford
Laura Ford is a Welsh artist and sculptor who has exhibited her work at the British Art Show and represented Wales at Venice Biennale. She is recognised internationally as one of the UK's leading sculptors and is included in important museum collections worldwide-Early life and career:Ford was...
created a new tailored space for children.
Laura Ford’s design draws inspiration from Ordnance Survey maps to create an environment encouraging children to explore the world of knowledge. The contoured carpet features familiar map references and the library activity areas continue the theme of trails, with a mountainous green leather sofa for storytelling, floating island-shaped computer desks and red-stained ply wigwams with natural light for reading. The children’s library has proved very popular and is actively used by local residents and children, with activities and events taking place throughout term-time and in school holidays.
Swiss Cottage Library is part of Open House 2011 organised by Open House London
Open House London
Open House London is an organisation which promotes appreciation of architecture by the general public. It organises tours, lectures, educational projects for children and so on, but it is best known for Open House Weekend, a two-day event which takes place on one weekend each September throughout...
which promotes appreciation of architecture by the general public.