We were shortlisted as one of six practices through an RIBA competition to design a new library and nursery that will underpin the transformation of Bentley Local Centre. Our concept for the library developed from analysing the site and the urban grain of the neighbourhood to provide a new distinctive and contemporary library, which will connect spaces and people at the heart of Bentley.

We have carefully masterplanned the site around significant routes and views, with the library positioned carefully to enhance the perspective towards the Cairn and the link to the local centre. A simple triangular outline that generates the plan not only uses space efficiently to maximise exposure to sunlight but also creates a rich and dynamic expression allowing the building to address both Queen Elizabeth Avenue and Churchill Road and create an axis focused on the Cairn.

The reception pod projects onto the pedestrian route and the curvilinear form welcomes passers by into the building. Visibility through the external envelope creates a sense of democracy and inclusiveness to engage all members of the community. The building is conceived as a sequence of spaces of different volumes, unified by one geometric form. The roof is separated from walls by a glazed clerestory, which wraps around the envelope of the building to capture framed and panoramic views of the external landscape.

North facing controllable rooflights allow additional diffused daylight into the space, reduce glare, improve the indoor environmental quality of the library and also encourage natural ventilation.

Our proposal for the library has been designed to last, to flexibly respond to the changing functional demands, to provide an environment that is inspiring and safe, as well as perform efficiently, providing a valuable facility for the local community.