2nd December 2005

 

CONVERTED LIBRARY GARNERS ANOTHER AWARD

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The University of Lincoln’s new £5 million library, created from the dynamic but sensitive conversion of the former Great Central Warehouse, has scooped another top design award.

 

The library won a prize at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) East Midlands awards ceremony held in Nottingham last night (Thursday).

 

Sponsored by Ibstock Brick Limited, the RIBA: Ibstock EM Awards celebrate the finest examples of architectural excellence in the East Midlands and are the most prestigious regional awards for the built environment.

 

Designed by University of Lincoln architects, the Great Central Warehouse Library is  proving to be a focal point for student life and public interaction.

 

The creative, sympathetic refurbishment of the warehouse involved adding thoughtful modern elements to a historic industrial structure.

 

Where once there were timber loading bays to enable goods to be moved in and out of the warehouse, there are now gleaming extensions of glass and charcoal concrete – a material which sits at ease with the existing grey engineering bricks.

 

The new additions provide space for meeting rooms, IT laboratories and staircases supporting the large open-plan library.

 

Both inside and out the building retains much of its original ambience. The beautiful brickwork has been cleaned and exposed, the iron and steelwork have been shot- blasted and painted, the original winching gear has been cleaned and preserved and the roof lights have been reinstated to provide natural light to the top floor.

 

The standard of entries for this year’s awards was considered to be very high. ”It was encouraging to discover the wealth of pleasing and competent architecture from all parts of the region,” said Hannah Minton, Regional Chair of RIBA East Midlands.

 

In May 2005 the library won gold and silver for conservation and regeneration at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Regional Awards in Leicester.

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Hannah Minton, Chair of RIBA East Midlands, John Ingham, Construction Manager with HBG, Michelle Anderson, Head of Library and Learning Resources at the University of Lincoln, Nigel Stevenson from UL Architects at the University of Lincoln and Ben Wildsmith, Territory Manager for Ibstock Brick pictured at the ceremony in Nottingham

 

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The Great Central Warehouse Library at the University of Lincoln

 

For more information contact: Jez Ashberry, Press and Media Relations Manager

01522 886042                         jashberry@lincoln.ac.uk

or Daphne Oxland, RIBA East Midlands

01636 812172.                        oxlandharbidge@tiscali.co.uk