The new external forecourt at Liverpool Central Library was designed to enhance the library’s significance, creating an entrance which ensures the visitor is engaged, inspired and welcomed.
The library is in the middle of a line of very grand large scale buildings so creating a new entrance that was both clearly visible but didn’t detract from the architecture was quite a challenge. Two simple elements were chosen, the granite wall and the Literary Carpet. The Literary Carpet leads visitors from the footpath to the new entrance door, and features the names of many books, films and music titles that can be found in the library, all chosen by the public in a city-wide competition. The granite wall provides strong visual signage and connection to the street frontage, while the existing stone balustrade was opened up to give the new entrance more emphasis.
The library is Grade II* listed and includes the sensitive retention of the library’s historic façade on William Brown Street. The 1950’s sections were demolished to make way for a new five-storey building, at the centre of which is a dramatic glazed atrium and roof terrace. It is where 14km of archives and some of the city’s most historic treasures from the last 800 years are housed.
The external approach is treated in contemporary finishes to contrast with the surrounding Yorkstone and to define the new entrance. Innovative techniques were used such as cutting the granite paving with water jets to inset the text.
The site had existing constraints due to the surrounding levels and it was recognised by Liverpool City Council that the access proposals could be specifically developed and adapted in the context of a Grade II* listed building. William Brown Street, which is outside the site boundary, has an existing gradient of 1:15 which impacted upon the levels leading to the library entrance. New level access was created for the library by removing the existing steps and creating an inclined approach to the main entrance. A stepped approach with integrated stone seating was also included; the limited number of handrails was accepted by Liverpool City Council in order to minimise visual clutter and visual impact on elevational views of the building.
