John Rylands Library
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Ian Lawson Download Original
Extension to the Grade I listed John Rylands Library in Manchester city centre
The £12.5 million scheme for the University of Manchester, which manages the library, included both a restoration of the existing structure and the construction of a new extension which houses 10,000 linear metres of books and increase accessibility throughout the library.
Working with conservation architect Lloyd Evans Prichard, the refurbishments to the existing library included cleaning, new windows, emergency lighting and fire and security systems. The largest new feature is a pitched roof with skylights filtering light into the original clerestories.
The building contains numerous circulation systems that function in parallel. The public only needs access to the ground and top floors keeping their circulations relatively simple.
Data
- Begun: Dec 2003
- Completed: 2007
- Sectors: Education, Civic
- Total cost: £12.5M
- Procurement: Standard Form of Building Contract 1998 Edition with Contractor's Designed Portion Supplement
- Address: The John Rylands University Library, The University of Manchester , Oxford Road , Manchester, M13 9PP, United Kingdom
Professional Team
- Architect: Austin-Smith:Lord
- Client: John Rylands University Library, University of Manchester
- Conservation Architects: Lloyd Evans Prichard
- Planning supervisor: NJSR Chartered Architects
- Main contractor: Linford Building
- Project manager: Davis Langdon
- Signage and exhibition displays: Redman Design Associates
- Structural engineer: Curtins
- Quantity surveyor: Appleyard and Trew
- M&E engineer: Gifford
Suppliers
- Glazing, curtain walling and balustrades: Bridgetown
- Cladding: CGL Systems
- Slate flooring: Aegean
- Stonework and plastering: Linford Building