Readers projects: Weston Library, Oxford

The re-working of what is now called the Weston Library in Oxford (it was previously known as the New Bodleian) was among the projects on the short-list announced in July for this year’s Stirling Prize. The stonework is by Putney & Wood.

In May, HRH The Duke of Cambridge visited the Weston Library in Oxford to formally open the building following a three-year, £80million transformation by Wilkinson Eyre Architects.

The building, previously known as the New Bodleian Library, is in the heart of the historic city of Oxford. It is a 1940s, Grade II listed building designed by Giles Gilbert Scott.

Its restoration and renovation has created additional storage for the library’s collections, which include many precious manuscripts, books and maps.

Following a tender process that was both comprehensive and competitive, Putney & Wood emerged as the stone contractor of choice and was appointed by Mace.

Externally, the stonework included restoration of the Clipsham stone cladding to the colonnades and plinth stones. Replacement stone was supplied by Realstone. A gate and posts to the side entrance were dismantled and rebuilt. Steps to the main entrance were replaced with 200 x 400 x 1000mm solid Forest of Dean sandstone steps. Internally, a new Solnhofen Jura limestone floor was installed in the main reception while Creeton limestone supplied by Churchfield was used for new wall linings and flooring in the Treasury Gallery.

The Putney & Wood team also reinstated a 17th century arched gateway, which once stood a few miles away at Ascot Park in South Oxfordshire. Having fallen into disrepair, the arch was acquired by the Victoria & Albert Museum in the early part of the 20th century and has now been leased to the library on permanent loan.

After entering through the main entrance, visitors see the splendid, ornate monument to their right, next to the information desk.

Lee Hutchinson, of Mace Group, says of the stonework: “Quality and attention to detail with the stonework on site has been excellent. The main atrium floor was delivered defect free”.

While Terry Spraggot, also of Mace Group, added: “It’s a tribute to the team that this work was been recognised by HRH The Duke of Cambridge during his visit.”

The library has already won several design awards, including two RIBA South Awards, a RIBA National Award, and The Architects' Journal 2016 Building of the Year Award.

In July, it was one of the six buildings included on the this year’s short-list for the top architectural award, the RIBA Stirling Prize, the winner of which will be announced in October.

And Putney & Wood’s £1.8million stone contract contribution has been entered in the stone industry’s own Natural Stone Awards, which will be presented in London on 2 December this year.

The venue for the Stone Awards has been changed from Russell Hotel, which is undergoing some repair work, to the five-star Grange Tower Bridge Hotel, close to two of London’s best known historic natural stone structures, The Tower of London and Tower Bridge.

It is an indication of the extensive re-working of the interior of the Weston Library that it was among the winners of the 2016 RIBA National Awards, which recognise new buildings in the UK.

The Weston Library is part of the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries. It was one of 42 projects across the UK selected for a National Award this year. They are presented by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and are selected from projects that have won regional RIBA Awards, announced earlier this year.

In April, the Weston Library had won a RIBA South Regional Award as well as the overall award of RIBA South Building of the Year 2016.

The Weston Library re-opened to the public in March 2015 following its dramatic, three-year transformation by Wilkinson Eyre.

The refurbishment transformed the 1930s listed building into a new cultural and intellectual landmark that is proving popular with everyone from local residents and tourists to scholars at Oxford and around the world. So popular, in fact, that in July the Weston Library celebrated its one millionth visitor.

Richard Ovenden, The Bodleian Librarian, said when the Library earned its RIBA National Award: “It’s wonderful that the Weston Library has earned this prestigious honour from the Royal Institute of British Architects. Wilkinson Eyre’s masterful and innovative transformation of Gilbert Scott's Grade II listed building has created a stunning space where visitors and scholars can explore the Bodleian’s historic collections.”

The RIBA judges  also praised the Wilkinson Eyre ‘masterpiece’ and noted that the sheer wow! factor when entering stops you in your tracks, reminding you of what the building is about.

The renovated library includes study rooms, reading rooms, a visiting scholars’ centre and a centre for digital scholarship. There is public access to two exhibition spaces, a lecture theatre, café and shop.

Weston Library (formerly the New Bodleian Library) Oxford
Client: University of Oxford
Architect: Wilkinson Eyre
Main Contractor: Mace
Specialist stone contractor: Putney & Wood
Stones Used: Clipsham, Jura and Creeton limestones, sandstone steps
Value of stone contract: £1.8 million
Contract duration: 52 weeks
Scope of stonework: External new build stone cladding, external stonework restoration and reinstatement. Internal new build stone cladding and flooring, internal stonework restoration and reinstatement.