Information about this scheme

The Grade-II listed Lea Bridge Library in East London, has been extended with a cafe and adaptable community activity space added with improved connection to the library’s gardens, resulting in a revived civic heart for the Borough of Waltham Forest. Having explored the changing role of a library in modern civic infrastructure, a new wing was conceived that offers places to work, learn, socialise, and gather to connect the local and future community as the neighbourhood undergoes a period of cultural growth and regeneration. The new 250 square metre wing sits to the rear of the Edwardian red brick library and occupies the Western boundary of the site, designed to lightly touch the existing heritage building and its green space, Friendship Gardens. The existing western garden wall has been utilised as a structural spine, anchoring the structure and bulk of the building to one side, ensuring a seamless, open connection to the gardens. Cantilevered beams of high strength laminated veneer lumber (LVL) support a length of overhead glazing and floating ceiling of timber battens. Floor to ceiling glazing along the entire east elevation invites the outdoors in, creating a visual and physical connection to Friendship Gardens allowing children to play safely while parents can easily supervise from cafe seating. The main entrance and foyer on Lea Bridge Road has been refurbished to include new wash facilities, buggy parking and an upstairs staff room. From the foyer, the new cafe welcomes visitors before opening into the main space. A continuous wall of fluted timber joinery connects bookshelves with in-built banquette seating, creating interspersed open reading ‘rooms’. The open plan layout can be adapted for a range of cultural, recreational and community activities and be used at different times of day by different local groups and library users.

Judges’ Comments:

“Lea Bridge Library extension is beautiful and welcoming, a truly wonderful project.”