OMI Architects have been appointed for the sensitive repair, remodelling and extension of our Grade I-listed Library.
OMI’s winning submission showed an excellent understanding of the unique ethos and history of the Library, whilst grasping the various aims of the Gladstone’s Living Heritage Project.
Gladstone’s Library is being developed in order to promote wider engagement with the liberal values that lie at the heart of William Ewart Gladstone’s life and work, and ensure that they continue to play a purposeful role in Britain and beyond.
To achieve this, a new space needs to be created, complementary to, but quite different from, the Victorian library building. This will be the Forum, a flexible, contemporary space that will enable the expansion of the programmes of debates, lectures and events. Using digital technology, it will also be possible to amplify their reach to additional interested parties.
A further aim is to create a visitor experience that will engage and inspire a broader range of audiences, especially younger people, school children and cultural tourists. Creating an impressive new exhibition space dedicated to Gladstone’s values and ideas will be one of the ways this will be achieved.
Above all else, the wish is to popularise – but in no way trivialise – the political, spiritual and cultural values that define the man and his heritage. Building upon conceptual design ideas, the Library is confident that OMI Architects and their team has the vision, skills and experience to realise this wish, translating it into a bespoke and well-tailored end solution.
OMI Architects’ winning team consisted of the following consultants:
- Alan Gardner Associates: Historic Building Surveyor
- Headland Design: Interpretive Consultants
- Hoare Lea: MEP Services
- Camlin Lonsdale: Landscape Architects
- DP Squared: Structural and Civil Engineering
- Poole Dick Associates: Quantity Surveyor.
Following an open design/tender process, six practices were shortlisted to present their initial thoughts at interview.
The shortlist of architects invited to interview included:
- AOC
- Austin-Smith: Lord
- Donald Insall Associates
- Purcell
- Shepherd Epstein Hunter
With the design process now underway, the project is set to be submitted to the HLF for a Stage I decision in early 2016.
Andy James, Director of OMI Architects, said:
“We are delighted to have been selected to work on this prestigious project at a key moment in the history of the Library. The opportunity of developing our initial ideas with the Gladstone’s Living Heritage team, in order to further enhance the enduring legacy of William Gladstone, is one that we are very proud of.”
Peter Francis, Warden of the Library said:
“We live in an age when there is widespread indifference to and disillusionment with the political process, declining church attendance, and increasing commercialisation of popular culture. At the same time, I find people are hungry for meaningful change and cultural or spiritual nourishment. The Gladstone’s Living Heritage Project is committed to engaging with these questions and the search for new answers. We are very excited to be working with OMI Architects and their team and are confident that with their vision, skills and experience we can jointly deliver a project that will respond to the need that is so clearly out there.“
OMI’s work has attracted critical acclaim and a series of national design awards leading to work in housing, museums and galleries, offices, churches, education, hotels, leisure and community buildings, often in contexts of historical significance.