Empathise and engage

If there’s one thing we’ve learned makes better buildings, it’s empathy. Architecture never happens in isolation—and simply by being interested and engaged, we’ve found it’s possible to open up the conversations that connect a scheme to its clients and community.

Weconstraints

We believe that the more constraints there are, the better the architecture. If there aren’t any constraints, we create them. Challenging sites, existing buildings and complex briefs almost always present incredible opportunities for great design.

Passive future

To limit our environmental impact, we start with what is already there. By manipulating the form and fabric of a building—whether new or existing—we can work with the existing conditions of topography, light and orientation, and harness the natural energy sources offered by air, ground and water.

Social detail

If a site’s constraints guide the bigger design decisions, then it’s empathy that informs the smaller, social details. These details frame the human narratives that aren’t included in the brief, anticipating specific moments in the users’ lives.

Mud on our boots

Good architecture is as much about what happens on the building site as it is about what’s on the drawing board. By working alongside contractors as well as clients we can ring-fence the ideas and details that matter, championing the quality of the building throughout its construction.

Hornsey Library
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Curl la Tourelle Head
Work
  • 
Hornsey Library

  • Grade II Listed

  • Haringey, London

Client
  • London Borough of Haringey

Awards
  • AJ Retrofit Awards 2021, Shortlisted

  • Haringey Design Awards 2021, Better Building Standards, Winner

  • Haringey Design Awards 2021, Heritage, Shortlisted

  • Haringey Design Awards 2021, Inclusive Design, Shortlisted

Press
  • > RIBA Journal

  • > Architect's Journal

A £2.7M preservation and restoration of the Grade II-listed Hornsey Library in the London Borough of Haringey. Built to replace a smaller 19th Century library, Hornsey Library was completed in April 1965, to the delight of local users. The project appealed to librarians and architects alike, simply because of the “close co-operation at all stages between a librarian who believes that his job is to get books to readers, and an architect who can appreciate the complexities of that simple sounding demand” (Library Association Record, April 1965).

Curl la Tourelle Head Architecture has continued this collaborative tradition, working together with the librarians and project team to refresh the building, providing the contemporary facilities expected of a modern-day library, while reinforcing the original sense of energy to preserve it for generations to come.

Cllr Mark Blake, Haringey Council Cabinet Member for Communities said: “Hornsey Library has been transformed, with excellent work that enhances the fabric of this much-loved Grade II listed building, while respecting the architectural character and history of the original library. Haringey Library users will benefit for years to come.”

As part of the restoration, obstacles for access have been removed and additional space has been allocated to expanding services. Care has been taken to preserve the historic fabric and proportions, particularly the feeling of openness in the double-height main library. This is accentuated by a new suspended globe lighting installation, taking cues from historic fittings.

Sensitive renovation of existing listed features such as the book stacks, study desks and tea bar are complemented by new furniture and equipment, enabling a modern library service with roaming staff, wireless devices and touchdown points. The new intuitive layout provides distinct areas for public computing, media labs, quiet reading, and studying.

The building fabric has been retained, restored and reused as much as possible, including original furniture and shelving, minimising the environmental impact of new materials. High-performance curtain walling replacement and roof insulation lead this fabric first approach, with natural ventilation retained throughout. Inefficient building services have been replaced with a low NOx boiler and heating system, 29kWp rooftop PV array and LED lighting. Annual predicted CO emissions related to regulated energy consumption are 35.9kgCO2/m2 (116tCO2), a 49% improvement on the existing building.

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Curl la Tourelle Head © 2022 Design & Art direction: BOB DesignWeb development: Official Business