The New Building

a architect(s)

18 Firm

Feildon Clegg Bradley

19 Project Architect

Jo Wright, Partner Studio Leader

20 Type of project

new building

b aims of the new building

21 Short description of the main objectives and purposes of the project

The Hive is Europe’s first fully integrated, jointly funded university and public library in a £60m landmark building within a city regeneration zone, offering a new model of shared services.

It is an innovative partnership between the University of Worcester and Worcestershire County Council bringing together books, documents, archives, digital technology and services from both organisations. It also houses one of the country’s largest children’s libraries, council customer services, meeting rooms, study areas and a café.

The vision for the Hive is to inspire people into learning, creating a democratic, civic space with fundamental principles of inclusion and access. It is a regional hub for education, research, business and cultural experiences, attracting people who have not traditionally enrolled in a library: to raise aspirations, and forge links between the university, people and organisations.

The resources of the University and public library are available to all; use of space and collections is defined by what you want to do, not by who you are. Public library non-fiction is shelved alongside university texts; study spaces and computers are shared; teenagers and children do their homework alongside university students writing assignments.

The superb WCC archive and archaeology collections are easily accessible by everyone, and are attracting new audiences to history and heritage.

A proportion users of The Hive are from low-income families, without a record of educational achievement. It is by design that the outstanding children’s library is adjacent to the council customer service centre, attracting those families who wouldn’t normally use a library.

The historic role of a public library as a place of educational opportunity for those unable to afford a formal education is redefined through our joint university and public library in a way that offers a model of inclusion and access for others.

c special features

22 Site

doplnit z word dotazníku

23 Architecture

The irregular plan form of the Hive is a response to its site, its aspect and orientation and the future construction of an embracing wrap of commercial accommodation which will frame the new ramped pedestrian street. The roofs and walls of the iconic form are clad in copper alloy with a plinth of locally sourced Forrest of Dean Pennant stone. The in situ concrete structure (incorporating 40% cement replacement) supports a series of ring beams at eaves level which are topped by the seven irregular timber cones which provide daylight and exhaust natural ventilation throughout the deep plan via a series of atria. Air intake at the perimeter and via an earth cooled duct, is designed to provide excellent air quality throughout. Windows, as part of the aluminium curtain walling system, frame views across the River Severn to the Malvern Hills beyond. Reduction of CO2 and energy use was central to the brief with a target of 50% CO2 reduction compared to regulations. The Hive is design to adapt to climate change as predicted by the UK Climate Impact Programme to 2050. Biomass is used for heating and river water is used for cooling via pipes embedded in the concrete slabs. The Hive was the first library in the UK to achieve BREEAM Outstanding with a score of 86.4% and has won a number of significant sustainability awards.

The Hive is designed to be accessible to all users regardless of physical and mental impairment. It incorporates a comprehensive personal care suite enabling even users with the most severe physical constraints to make use of the building’s facilities.