Cambridge University Library, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Country/Region
Project Summary
Davis Langdon provided Quantity Surveying services on this project for Cambridge University - one of the six Deposit Libraries in the Country
Project Description
Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and originally constructed in 1934 by builders, Rattee and Kett, the Library sits on land acquired by the University from King’s and Clare Colleges.
Following a period of modest building expansion during the early 1970’s, the Library’s status as one of the six Deposit Libraries in the country means that it requires not only considerably more shelf space, on which to store books, but also increased areas for reading, research, conservation and display.
THE PROJECT
Commencing in 1988 the Library embarked on an ambitious twenty year plan of extension and refurbishment in six main phases of work as follows:
1990: Refurbishment of the External Courtyards and construction of the Rotherham Wing (housing staff canteen and conservation facilities, along with workshops)
1994: Construction of the Aoi Pavilion Wing (housing the Library’s Far East book collection) and the Underground Bookstore. This basement linked the existing 1930’s and 1970’s basements and provided additional closed isle book storage.
1996: Refurbishment of the Main Entrance and provision of a dedicated public Exhibition Hall
1998: Construction of the North West Corner (housing the Photographic Department and providing two new Reading Rooms). This building partially sits on top of the Underground Bookstore and links the 1930’s and 1970’s buildings above ground.
2000: Construction of the South West Corner mirroring the North West Corner (providing a further two new Reading Rooms)
2004: Construction of the Central West Bookstacks which provided an horizontal link into the North West Corner, and vertically down into the Underground Bookstore.
2007-8: (planned subject to funding) The final phase of new building which will comple the link between the Central West Bookstacks and the South West Corner
Throughout this period, the refurbishment of areas of the 1930’s building has been undertaken following department decants into their new accommodation.
THE RESULTS
A construction cost of approximately £40m has been expended over this twenty year period, with the same consultants and contractor teams.