The British Library is one of the most important in the world. It receives copies of all books produced in the UK, as well as others documents from different countries. Among the many prestigious tomes housed in this library, we can find the Magna Carta, Leonard da Vinci’s notebooks, the Beowulf manuscript and others unique documents. With a collection of more than 150 million documents, and growing about 3 million each year, it needs more space.
This is why the British Library decided to plan an extension. For this project, the library assigned Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, an architectural firm, to design it. The new wing will stand on the north of the listed building, designed by Colin St. John Wilson, which was open in 1997. It was the biggest public building built in the UK in the 20th century. The future extension will occupy 9,290 square metres.
Currently a parking lot, the space will house new exhibition and learning spaces, as well as a headquarter for the Alan Turing Institute, which is the national centre for data science. A northern entrance to the library near St. Pancras station will also be built. In addition, a new science hub with space for commercial development will be provided for companies looking for accommodation in the Knowledge Quarter, an area occupied by cultural and research institutes.
According to Roly Keating, chief executive of the British Library, this new project will help to preserve and respect the library's character while creating new spaces for public and commercial enterprises. One of the upcoming exhibitions will start in October for Harry Potter’s 20th birthday, "Harry Potter: a history of magic." Reservations are open.
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