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4 The Link Magazine • March 2006
Library to kick start new look for Swindon

Plans for a new central library have been revealed and the council's architects have come up with a design which should impress everybody.
The brief was to create a signa- produced by Swindon Council's
ture building on an island site own architect's department satisfy
which makes a bold statement, these demands, using the propor-
whilst being sympathetic to the tions of the town hall and tradi-
existing Victorian town hall, at the tional brick and tile materials whilst
top of Regent Street. The scheme incorporating flexible usage and
state-of-the-art engineering.
New contact details Architect Nic Newland said his
team has used the British arts and
Abbey Meads ward councillor Justin
crafts movement and the work of
Tomlinson has moved from Westlea
architect Edward Lutyens as their
to Taw Hill and can be contacted on
reference point to provide a quiet
704024 or by e-mail:
[email protected] formality to the building. By in-
Or by letter: 64 Queen Elizabeth cluding a third floor in a loft space
Drive, Taw Hill. Swindon SN25 1 OF under a sloping roof the new does
not dominate the existing.
Work in progress. Coun Rod Bluh and architect Nic Newland
fitting the library model together
In contrast to the square form of Coun Rod Bluh, cabinet lead
the town hall, the library has a member responsible for regenera-
curved exterior with large double tion said he was delighted with
height windows separated by but- the plans. "I'm very excited by the
tress columns which will both hold building. It has an air of perma-
the building up and act as chim- nence whilst being modern and
neys to aid ventilation. innovative. The new library pro-
The aim is for the building to be vides the quality of design we are
highly energy efficient. seeking for the regeneration of the
The entrance will be off the pe- town centre."
destrian area at the top of Regent The council's planning commit-
Street, next to Princes Street. Apart tee will consider the project in
from books and computers which March.
are standard features of a The curved library facing Princes Street behind
library, there will be a large
the town hall, showing the glass rear wall facing
children's area on the
the courtyard
ground floor and a teenag-
ers' space, and a first floor
reading room in a turret
above the circular entrance
lobby.
The back of the new li-
brary will be a surprise. In
contrast to the exterior brick
finish, the wall facing the
x:<
rear courtyard will be glass
and steel and incorporate a
•.I roof terrace for exhibitions
and performances.

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