Southwark Council signs construction contract for dramatic Canada Water library

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Local Government

Canada Water residents will soon have a stunning new library to enjoy and use, with community and council facilities at its heart, as Southwark Council today signed the £13.7m construction contract with ISG Jackson.

Designed by Piers Gough, Partner at CZWG Architects, the new 3,165 sq m library building resembles an inverted pyramid that partly overhangs the Canada Water basin.

A dominant feature of the four storey building is a striking full height atrium, with a timber-lined central spiral staircase traveling up to the expanding shape above.

The building is clad in aluminum sheets that are anodised in a light bronze with sequined perforations, giving it sculptural appeal and striking visual effects. The library also has excellent green credentials, with a ground source heat pump, grey water harvesting and a green sedum roof.

The library will sit at the edge of a new civic plaza which has been designed to allow for a farmers market, large TV screenings, festivals and a host of other events and activities.

Together they will form part of a dynamic new town centre for Canada Water, which includes approximately 900 new homes, new retail and public space.
The project is due to commence in the summer, with completion scheduled for early 2011.

Councillor Paul Noblet, Southwark Council’s executive member for regeneration, said he was delighted that work could now start: “The Canada Water development will see the area’s population grow, and residents, new and old, need a new library with a huge collection, study space, homework clubs, reading groups, story sessions for very young children, author appearances and continuous promotions and events.

“Even more exciting is that this fantastic library will be at the heart of a buzzing town centre with a range of community facilities for 21st century living.

"Residents will easily find a range of council and community services, delivered via a building that reflects Southwark’s commitment to providing essential public buildings without sacrificing exciting and innovative design.”

As part of the project, ISG Jackson will incorporate one of the existing exits to Canada Water station into the new building, creating a major new thoroughfare.

Architect Piers Gough said: “We are excited that building work on the library is to start. When completed, it will be a great addition to this area of Southwark. The community will have a lovely place and resource to explore, read, learn, meet, be creative in and generally make their own.”

Ian Gifford, director of ISG Jackson's Public division, said: “The new public library represents a key regeneration project for Southwark Council, with a bold and striking design that will undoubtedly enhance the local built environment.

"The scheme incorporates significant technical challenges for us as main contractor, with a tightly constrained site situated above a busy underground station, and a complex structure that overhangs the basin.

"Our early involvement in the design process has proved an important factor in the development of a robust strategy to successfully deliver this stunning building, which we confidently expect to spark further regeneration efforts within the immediate area.”

David Taylor, Chairman BL Canada Quays, said: "Commencement of the library will be a massive milestone in terms of delivering the Canada Water masterplan.

"BL Canada Quays promised the local community a high quality mixed use scheme which would benefit both existing and new residents. The library is a major building block in terms of achieving that objective."