wilmslow

Wilmslow New Library and Information Centre

with associated Housing including affordable housing

The library footprint takes full advantage of the site boundary with the widest elevation facing the south to 'open up' the elevated courtyard and achieve optimum solar gain for the residential units and to provide daylight into the library space.

The houses are built around the three library elevations. They will act as a 'blanket' to minimise heat loss and maintain a constant surface temperature for the library. Together with a well-insulated roof covered with soft and hard landscaping, the heating requirements for the Library will be minimal. In fact, most of the time, it will need to be cooled and ventilated, rather than heated.

The design of the houses facing the Parkway will be only 2_ storeys with tiled pitched roof to reflect and enhance the character of this mature residential street. The south and east facing houses will be 3 storeys high, overlooking the car park. These will be more urban in appearance to reflect the scale and character of the surrounding retail units.

The entrance to the library will present an impressive civic appearance, as one would expect of such an important building and will be clearly visible to anyone entering the area.

The library has bold features defining the large entrance. Behind full height glazing will be computer terminals and soft furnishing for reading newspapers and magazines.

The library will have integrated facilities for the Borough and the Library Service in a new, pleasant environment to visit and work.

It will also have meeting rooms for the community available for use out of hours.

The children's library will be in a quiet corner furnished with moveable shelving and seating to create the right atmosphere

There will be plenty of formal and informal study areas throughout the library and a large wall space will be available for visual art and local information.

Library Solutions will use a local manufacturer's system that is best suited to meet the sustainable aspirations of the project. The system utilises prefabricated and finished 3- dimensional units to provide an extremely energy efficient building.

We are convinced this design and construction method will ensure that Wilmslow will get an environmentally friendly landmark building.