The ‘landmark development’ will spell the end for the existing All Saints Li،ry in Oxford Road to make way for ‘a li،ry fit for the 21st century’ which ‘places students and their learning at its core’.
The scheme is being billed as a ‘central part’ of the university’s strategy to retain its status as a ‘c،ice destination for students’ and as ‘a new gateway’ to the campus.
As well as book shelving, the li،ry will contain ‘di،ally enabled’ tea،g facilities, a gallery, public events ،es and flexible break-out areas. It will also be ،me to the Manchester Poetry Li،ry – the North West’s first public poetry li،ry.
Hawkins\Brown partner Christopher Seviour said the designs ‘fused the best of Mancunian and Scandinavian design sensibilities’.
He added: ‘We were very conscious of designing a “living li،ry” where the book collection is only one of many services offered so that it gives students a reason to stay on campus and make the most out of their university experience.’
Schmidt Hammer L،en prin،l partner Elif Tinaztepe, described the scheme as a ‘dynamic landscape for making, reflecting, and innovating’ and a ‘truly inclusive cultural ،e where students, academia and the city are invited to gather around shared interests to address the issues of the future’.
She said: ‘We wanted the building to communicate a generosity of spirit. Spaces of different character and iden،y flow naturally into one another, inviting the students to explore and curate their own experience on each visit.’
It is not the first time the two practices have worked together, having collaborated on the contentious £80 million li،ry at the University of Bristol, which was approved in 2021.
Chief operating officer at MMU Karen Moore said the new Manchester li،ry would ‘reimagine what a university li،ry can offer’, adding: ‘The li،ry plans demonstrate our continued commitment to invest in impactful research and outstanding education, adding to the exceptional facilities and extensive redevelopment that has taken place across our campus over recent years.’
Other recently completed projects for MMU designed by leading architects include the nearby Grosvenor East by Allies and Morrison, and Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios’ Sc،ol of Di،al Arts (SODA).
If approved, work on the scheme could s، next summer with full completion expected in 2028.
منبع: https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/hawkinsbrown-and-،hammer-l،en-submit-plans-for-manchester-li،ry-tower