SCONUL Library Design Award 1992
1992 Awards for buildings opened in 1986-89
The Design Awards Panel inspected seven library buildings completed between 1986 and 1989,
including four new buildings, two conversion/extensions and one conversion.
Members of the Panel were impressed by the generally high standard of design and functionality of
the buildings visited, as well as by the variety of means by which the operational and service requirements of the ‘client’ institutions had been successfully met. They were especially pleased to note the continuation of the trend, noted by the previous Panel, for Chief Librarians to be closely involved in the design process as a matter of course, and they believe that the buildings themselves provide clear evidence of the benefits of this approach.
The Panel noted a pleasing degree of individuality and character in some of the designs, with a
less rigid adherence to previously accepted formulae. The necessary emphasis on good functionality
had been tempered in a number of cases by a more sensitive concern to achieve a humane quality of
environment for staff and users. Considerable attention had been paid to both external and internal
appearance and ambience, as well as to improved fenestration and the imaginative use of artificial
lighting.
As befits the times, improved provision for IT facilities, for disabled users and for security had
been made in most of the libraries, and concern to keep down running costs was evident in some of
the designs adopted. A more pragmatic approach to the questions of air-conditioning and flexibility
of use appeared to have been adopted, with mechanical ventilation systems featuring more prominently than in previous review periods. It will be interesting to see how the design of those libraries likely to be subjected to greatly increased student numbers will be able to cope with such pressures over the coming years.
After detailed review and assessment on a wide range of criteria, awards have been made to three
libraries, as follows:
- Queen Mary and Westfield College Library, University of London
- The National Library of Scotland, Causewayside Building (Phase 1)
- The Joule Library, University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology