Lucy Cavendish College Library, Cambridge

Client - Lucy Cavendish College
Date of Completion – 1999

The library site borders Madingley Road to the south and had to be well protected from the noise of the road so the south elevation is predominantly a red brick wall, punctured by individual small windows responding to reader and bookcase positions. The north side of the building looks out across the college gardens so opens up with generously glazed oak screens.

The building is divided into two wings, of a similar scale to the neighbouring houses and connected by a central glazed tower. Internally vertical circulation is via the curved end stairs and central stair tower. The second floor opens up to the underside of the roof, revealing the glulam roof structure. The entrance foyer is also full height. The central tower is glazed with large-scale oak screens, allowing views through to the garden.

The design of the reading spaces responds to the need for choice in the character of working areas. The ground floor has an open space for large desks; elsewhere there are carrels next to large north-facing windows overlooking the garden, or the smaller windows facing south. A more informal reading room is located at the top of the central tower. Here students can relax on sofas to read or admire the panoramic view.