Architecture & Interiors

The Contemporary Library reimagines a compartmentalized 1970s educational wing into a singular, university-style “Curiosity Centre.” This restoration stitches modern sophistication into the existing brick fabric, balancing technical acoustic rigor with architectural whimsy.

The design celebrates the building’s industrial skeleton, highlighting exposed steel trusses in high-gloss green while drawing the “outside in” by echoing the site’s heritage fretwork and terracotta rooflines. Eschewing literal branding, the palette uses plush blue and terracotta seating to provide a nuanced complement to the school’s uniforms. This earthy base is punctuated by playful interventions, such as light pink door frames against heavy original brickwork.

At the space’s heart, a fireplace clad in biscuit-brown tiles evokes an heirloom feel, while a sharp, jazzy blue grout ensures the heritage feels fresh, not frozen. By honoring robust historical bones through a contemporary lens, the library becomes a vibrant, forward-looking hub for learning.