The renovation of Clapton Library in Hackney marks the next chapter of the Edwardian neo-classical building, which first opened on 17th January 1914. Since November 2008, work has been undertaken to restore the library to its former glory, retaining and uncovering its original features, while updating its facilities. The new library has a striking extension - clad in zinc and fixed to 240m2 of FSC certified SmartPly OSB 3 - which was designed by renowned architectural practice Shepheard Epstein Hunter. The transformed library was reopened by Mayor of Hackney, Jules Pipe, in February 2010.
Sustainability has been at the heart of this extensive £3 million project, with green technologies being utilised throughout the project, including rain water harvesting, solar water heating, solar powered ventilation, and better use of daylight as well as a stringent policy for building products to meet high sustainable and environmental requirements.
The original building was designed by Sir Edwin Cooper (knighted in 1923, Gold Medal for Architecture 1931), born out of the Free Library movement and funded by Scottish born steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. Mid-20th century ceilings were removed to reveal barrel vaults and glazed toplit ceilings. The Battery Room, previously scheduled for demolition, was retained as the new reception, but it is the two storey-zinc-clad extension with lift at the back of the site which adds new office and meeting space, and a grand two-storey window giving views to the street. After working closely with SmartPly’s technical support service, Shepeard Epstein Hunter specified SmartPly OSB from Coillte Panel Products for the floors and as the cladding substrate. Andrew Macdonald, sales director for Coillte Panel Products said, “In working with SEH so early on in the project, we were able to confirm that SmartPly OSB3 was fit-for-purpose as the substrate required. It is made close to its key markets, is energy-efficient, and working towards a lower carbon footprint. Without exception, it carries certification by the Forest Stewardship Council. As such, both the product and our environmental credentials met their high standards, and we are finding that SmartPly OSB is increasingly being specified by architects whose focus is on sustainability and the responsible use of renewable raw materials.”
Mayor of Hackney, Jules Pipe, said: “The Council were determined that this 100 year old library should be an excellent resource for residents so have worked with architects to create a design that offers users more space, better access, an improved stock range and facilities fit for the 21st century, while remaining sympathetic to the building’s classic design.”
SmartPly OSB is the smart alternative to plywood and is manufactured in Waterford, Ireland OSB is made with layers of precisely engineered wood strands. It is coated with exterior resins interwoven in a lattice pattern and then compressed under intense heat and pressure.
This manufacturing process adds to the extra strength, rigidity and moisture resistance.
SmartPly OSB is part of the panel products division of Coillte, the Irish forestry and forest products company. For more information, visit www.smartply.com.
16 April 2010