British Library Building London Design, Euston Road Architecture Photos, Scandinavian Modernism BL Project Date, Picture
British Library Building
BL Euston Road Architecture, London, England, UK design by Colin St John Wilson architect
post updated 10 February 2024
Address: 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB, UK
British Library Listed at Grade I
20 Apr 2016 – new photos loaded ; updated 19 Sep 2015 ; 3 Aug 2015
British Library Listing
1 August 2015 – The British Library has been listed at Grade I by the Heritage Minister, Tracey Crouch, on the advice of Historic England. Additionally, seven later 20th century libraries have been listed at Grade II.
The British Library Listing
The British Library is arguably the most significant new public building of the later 20th century in England. Its architecture is both immense and extraordinary and its warmth and quality of spaces, finishes and sculpture have made it a much-admired building. It is set back in a stately fashion behind the distinctive brick piazza and portico and holds its own amongst a parade of Grade I buildings: St Pancras Hotel and Station and King’s Cross Station.
Heritage Minister Tracey Crouch said: “The British Library divided opinion from the moment its design was revealed, but I am glad that expert advice now allows me to list it, ensuring that its iconic design is protected for future generations to enjoy.”
Roger Bowdler, Director of Listing at Historic England, said: “The British Library (BL) is one of England’s finest modern public buildings. Listing it at Grade I acknowledges its outstanding architectural and historic interest. Colin St John Wilson’s stately yet accessible design incorporates fine materials and a generous display of public art. The Library’s dramatic and carefully considered interiors achieve its ultimate goal: of creating a space to inspire thought and learning.
“Historic England has had a really constructive consultation with the BL throughout. The way it has been listed celebrates its qualities, and points out just what does make it special. This will enable it to go on flourishing as a dynamic public building, in which appropriate change is welcomed.
“It joins a select group of other listed post-war public libraries on the National Heritage List for England. Even in today’s digital age, there is a clear future for these buildings. They illustrate a wide range of architectural styles, and together represent the very best in public architecture.”
Source: http://historicengland.org.uk/news-and-features/news/british-library-listed-grade-1
7 Nov 2012
British Library
Location: Euston Road, north of the city centre
Date built: 1997
Architect: Colin St John Wilson
Address: 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB
Phone: 0843 208 1144
British Library Architecture
The cost of the BL building: £142m
– Scandinavian Modernism style, internal brick eg like Aalto
– very spacious atrium
– largest public building constructed in the United Kingdom in the 20th century
– no other architecture project, since the building of St. Paul’s Cathedral, over 400 years ago, took so long to construct or was surrounded by so much controversy.
– 37 years from the award of the brief to the opening of the last Reading Room, Sir Colin faced changes to the location, size, proportions, and funding for the building.
– architect taught architecture in Cambridge, England
– very controversial, dragged on for years and over budget
– in the middle of the building is a six-storey glass tower containing the King’s Library, with 65,000 printed volumes collected by King George III and given to the nation
– looks like a ship sailing into London
They building was built using strong aluminium extrusion
British Library Architect
Other buildings by the architect, Colin St John Wilson, include:
Cambridge University Department of Architecture Extension
1958
Pallant Gallery, Chichester, West Sussex
2007
Queen Mary College Library, Mile End Rd, east London
1988
photo © Adrian Welch, Sep 2012
Functioning
– national library of the United Kingdom
– world’s largest library in terms of total number of items
– over 150 million items
– 14 million books – second only to the United States’ Library of Congress
– legal deposit library, the BL receives copies of all books produced in the United Kingdom and Ireland
– 4 levels of basement, 300km of shelves
photos © Adrian Welch, Sep 2010
– large sculptures by Eduardo Paolozzi (a bronze statue based on William Blake’s study of Isaac Newton) and Antony Gormley
photos © Adrian Welch, Sep 2010
pictures © Nick Weall
photos © Adrian Welch jun 2007
Location: north central London
images © Nick Weall
Entry gate designed by Lida and David Kindersley:
photo © AW
View from the east ; Entry port viewed from west:
photos © AW
Colin St John Wilson architect
British Library Extension – Centre for Conservation, north London
Date built: 2007
Design: Long & Kentish with Colin St John Wilson
photos © AW
Centre for Conservation:
photos © Nick Weall
Location: 96 Euston Rd, London, NW1 2DB, England, UK
London Buildings
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British Academy Refurbishment, Carlton House Terrace, St. James’s
Design: Wright & Wright
image © architects
British Academy Refurbishment
Building photographs taken with Panasonic DMC-FX01 lumix camera; Leica lense: 2816×2112 pixels – original photos available upon request: info(at)e-architect.com
British Library Boston Spa Masterplan
Design: HOK, Architects
British Library Masterplan
British Library – Holborn Reading Room, 25 Southampton Buildings, WC2
Date built: 1902
Design: Sir John Taylor, architect
Comments / photos for the British Library Architecture + Centre for Conservation design by Colin St John Wilson architect page welcome.
Website: www.bl.uk