Smythe Library, Tonbridge School
- Location
- Tonbridge School, Kent, UK
- Client
- Tonbridge School
- Expertise
- Architecture
- Acoustics
- Building Services Engineering
- Interior Design
- Lighting
- Completion
- 2016
- Size
- 1,100 sq m
- Cost
- £7m
We completed the redesign and restoration of the iconic Grade II listed Smythe Library at Tonbridge School in Kent.
Tonbridge School recognised that the former Smythe Library, designed by Sir William Holford in 1962, no longer fulfilled the demands of a 21st century learning centre. Our task was to extend and refurbish the library to reflect the school''s current and future needs.
We stripped out all internal walls and corridors to create more open, flexible spaces spread over four levels of the existing building. The contemporary extensions to the north and south sides of the library are designed to take advantage of the school’s well-manicured gardens and vast grounds creating an experience similar to that of a gothic cathedral cloister. The concept of the cathedral cloister was carried through the design and manifests itself in the form of a strong vertical structural rhythm improving circulation spaces.
The central feature arch is brightly illuminated with cool white 4000K to complement and balance the daylight in the central space, with individual desk lamps to enable localised light only where needed. The addition of a largely glazed stair tower to the south side of the building meant we were able to drive a simple natural ventilation strategy as well as enabling high levels of natural daylight.