Read the press release announcing the 2003 winner of the Prime Minister's Award
This contemporary structure has provided a new 'public living room' for the residents of Bournemouth. Its architecture exudes an air of informality.
The fully glazed north facing elevation opens the library interior to
the street, inviting people in as well as enabling people to look out.
Glass roof panels and south westerly facing windows allow light to flood
into the library spaces, reducing the need for artificial lighting and
cooling and thereby ensuring that energy costs are minimized.
The internal layout is designed in such a way that the public can move easily between activities.
Built on a former derelict site, the library has seen a threefold increase in visitor numbers since it opened, with more than 3,500 people visiting during its first Saturday of operation.
The library was financed via the Private
Finance Initiative, and its success is due to the commitment of the
borough council, developer, contractor and design team to provide the
best possible
library for the people of Bournemouth.
The judges said:
"At night, an airy atmosphere is created in a robust piece of architecture"