{"id":740418,"date":"2024-05-15T08:17:05","date_gmt":"2024-05-15T07:17:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/?p=740418"},"modified":"2024-05-15T10:32:44","modified_gmt":"2024-05-15T09:32:44","slug":"robin-lee-architecture-transforms-former-library-into-erith-cultural-hub","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/buildings\/robin-lee-architecture-transforms-former-library-into-erith-cultural-hub","title":{"rendered":"Robin Lee Architecture transforms former library into Erith cultural hub"},"content":{"rendered":"

Built in 1906, the Grade II-listed Carnegie Library in the Thames-side industrial town of Erith closed to the public in 2009, and subsequently, the building substantially degraded causing the interior spaces to become water-damaged.<\/p>\n

The Exchange was founded as a community-owned cultural and social organisation focused around the \u2018social power\u2019 of craft and making. After receiving funding and additional support from the Greater London Authority and Bexley Council, the former library has been transformed into a community hub with an annual programme of workshops and events.<\/p>\n

\"\"

The garden<\/p>\n\t

<\/p><\/p><\/div>\n

Robin Lee Architecture, working with The Exchange has methodically recorded and evaluated the existing building to adapt its public library spaces into rooms for craft and making. The key strategy was to prioritise the existing character of the spaces while stripping away unneeded elements.<\/p>\n

Repair work included fitting a new roof, dealing with mould and removing plasterwork to allow the building to dry out.<\/p>\n

Key interventions are light touch: building services have been discreetly installed while new birch-ply timber partitions, panelling and doors have been minimally introduced to enable new activities while not affecting the historic interiors.<\/p>\n

Workshop spaces have bespoke furniture pieces including foldable tables and stackable chairs, designed by members of The Exchange and made by members of the local community.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Ceramics workshop<\/p>\n\t

<\/p><\/p><\/div>\n

A new garden has also been created, designed by Sarah Price Landscapes with new planting carried out by the local community. New pavers for the seating areas have been created by Local Works Studio using waste, by-products and excess materials local to the scheme.<\/p>\n

The library\u2019s transformation was completed after a four-year consultation, with design and delivery taking place across two phases of construction to ensure the new spaces were flexible for multiple uses.<\/p>\n

The Carnegie Library was funded by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and commissioned, designed and built by local people using local materials. It served as a library for over 100 years, becoming the site for Erith Museum as well as regular community events and initiatives.<\/p>\n

\"\"

North Room<\/p>\n\t

<\/p><\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Client\u2019s view<\/h3>\n

When we started work with Robin Lee Architecture, The Exchange within Erith\u2019s Old Library was an idea still in formation. We knew it would be a place for community; we knew we wanted to repair, protect and enhance heritage features; we knew we wanted a beautiful destination garden; and we knew it would be a space that would be inspired by its heritage story of craft and empowerment. However, although we had tested different activities, we did not completely understand how each space would be used and experienced.<\/p>\n

The phased approach to the building project worked well for us, giving us time to develop the vision and brief; Robin Lee Architecture was invested in community consultations throughout the process, creating a design that offered enough flexibility for change, but still creating defined and distinctive spaces through sensitive repair and adaptation.<\/p>\n

We also wanted the community to be involved in as much of the build process as possible including the fit-out and fabrication of the building\u2019s furniture. This required a lot of trust from Robin Lee Architecture in our vision for community building, for which we are incredibly grateful. This approach to ‘community production’ is now a core part of what we do daily, and our design and production of tables \u2013 which efficiently hang as wall paneling \u2013 and accompanying chairs, recently won the Production category at the Wood Awards.<\/p>\n

The result of this responsive and ‘light-touch’ approach to the design process, and sensitivity to the historic fabric, is a quality architectural process that is readable, engaging and adds to the building\u2019s story. People are fascinated by the new interventions, genuinely over the moon that the building they remember so well has been saved, and can see how \u2013 when we talk about craft \u2013 quality design can have a community impact.<\/p>\n

Gradually, The Exchange has developed into an award-winning community craft organisation and Arts Council-recognised National Portfolio Organisation. We couldn\u2019t have got there without the support of Robin Lee Architecture and the approach to the building and spaces.
\nSarah Batten, co-director, The Exchange<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span>\"\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Project data<\/h3>\n

Start on site<\/strong> Phase 1: February 2018, Phase 2: August 2020
\n<\/span>Completion\u00a0date<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>Phase 1: December 2019, Phase 2: July 2022
\nGross internal floor area<\/strong> 844m\u00b2
\n<\/span>Gross (internal + external) floor area<\/strong> 1,168m\u00b2
\nConstruction cost<\/strong> \u00a32.35 million
\nConstruction cost per m\u00b2<\/strong> \u00a32,787
\nArchitect<\/strong> Robin Lee Architecture
\nClient<\/strong> Bexley Council, The Exchange
\nStructural engineer<\/strong> Stand Consulting Engineers
\nM&E consultant<\/strong> Stan
\nQuantity surveyor<\/strong> Appleyard & Trew
\nConservation architect<\/strong> Donald Insall & Associates
\nLandscape consultant<\/strong> Sarah Price Landscapes
\nPrincipal designer<\/strong> Robin Lee Architecture
\nCDM co-ordinator<\/strong> Robin Lee Architecture
\nApproved building inspector<\/strong> Bexley Council
\nMain contractor<\/strong> GA Harper
\nCAD software used<\/strong> AutoCAD
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Environmental performance data<\/h3>\n

Percentage of floor area with daylight factor >2%<\/strong> 75%<\/span>
\n<\/span>Percentage of floor area with daylight factor >5% <\/span><\/strong>50%
\nOn-site energy generation<\/strong> Nil<\/span>
\n<\/span>Annual mains water consumption <\/span><\/strong>Not assessed
\nAirtightness at 50Pa<\/strong> 0.9 m\u00b3\/h.m\u00b2
\n<\/span>Heating and hot water load<\/strong> 120 kWh\/m\u00b2\/yr
\n<\/span>Overall area-weighted U-value<\/strong> 0.4 W\/m\u00b2\/K
\n<\/span>Design life<\/strong> 50 years
\n<\/span>Embodied \/ whole-life carbon<\/strong> Not assessed
\n<\/span>Annual CO2 emissions<\/strong> 20 kgCO2eq\/m\u00b2<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Built in 1906, the Grade II-listed Carnegie Library in the Thames-side industrial town of Erith closed to the public in 2009, and subsequently, the building substantially degraded causing the interior spaces to become water-damaged. The Exchange was founded as a community-owned cultural and social organisation focused around the \u2018social power\u2019 of craft and making. After …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59337,"featured_media":740449,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"categories":[706],"tags":[3284,100628,3285,2512],"yoast_head":"\nRobin Lee Architecture transforms former library into Erith cultural hub<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Erith\u2019s most significant building, the Grade II-listed Carnegie Library, has been transformed into The Exchange, a community-owned cultural hub\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/buildings\/robin-lee-architecture-transforms-former-library-into-erith-cultural-hub\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta 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