Plumstead Library

A sensitive refurbishment of a Grade II listed building and a new contemporary extension, that combines Library, Leisure and Cultural facilities all under one roof.

An underused Grade II-listed public library has undergone a refurbishment and extension to transform into a new civic anchor for Plumstead’s local community. Designed for the Royal Borough of Greenwich as part of the first phase of the area’s regeneration, the new Plumstead Centre provides a range of spaces, from intimate library spaces to a bustling gym. The building’s design was developed through close engagement with residents and stakeholders in order to deliver a new type of civic building that welcomes a diverse community.

NEW LONDON AWARDS 2020

Highly commended in the EXPERIENCING CULTURE category

A sensitive refurbishment of a Grade II listed building and a new contemporary extension, that combines Library, Leisure and Cultural facilities all under one roof.

An underused Grade II-listed public library has undergone a refurbishment and extension to transform into a new civic anchor for Plumstead’s local community. Designed for the Royal Borough of Greenwich as part of the first phase of the area’s regeneration, the new Plumstead Centre provides a range of spaces, from intimate library spaces to a bustling gym. The building’s design was developed through close engagement with residents and stakeholders in order to deliver a new type of civic building that welcomes a diverse community.

View the 2020 winning projects here

Zero Carbon London

→ BREEAM Very Good

→ Whole Life Carbon 4,208 kgCO2e/m2

→ Development of in-house tool to measure carbon H\B:ERT (Hawkins\Brown Emissions Reduction Tool)

An underused Grade II-listed public library has undergone a refurbishment and extension to transform into a new civic anchor for the local community. Plumstead Centre demonstrates how a retrofit project can achieve social benefits, an economically viable offering and minimised impact on the environment encapsulated by a BREEAM Very Good rating. The building offers a civic presence on Plumstead’s
high street, offering free library facilities to stay open longer hours through cross-funding from paid facilities at the Centre. This was achieved thanks to the commitment by RB Greenwich to prolonged sustainable business models for key community assets.

Project information

Status

Built

Borough

Greenwich

Size

25372 sq m

Completion

February 2020

Location

232 Plumstead High St, London SE18 1JL, UK

Team Credits