The University of Bristol, in the South West of England, is set to recieve a new £80 million library development on its Clifton campus by 2021. The team for the project is formed of Hawkins\Brown, Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects and BuroHappold. The architect-led team has extensive previous experience in the education sector and libraries, including the new Bartlett building, the Sir Duncan Rice Library, and the University of Exeter’s Forum respectively.  

The contemporary design was selected from international competition entries, beating submissions from AHMM, Wilkinson Eyre Architects, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Atkins with Snøhetta. The design was commended for its acknowledgement of context; it takes into account the conservation setting and builds on the university’s high sustainability standards and goals.

The building will form a welcoming gate into the Clifton campus, which will be rejuvenated and redeveloped over the coming 5 years, encouraging students, staff, and the public to become part of the University experience.

Adam Cossey, Partner at Hawkins\Brown, said:  

"We are delighted to be partnering with Schmidt Hammer Lassen and BuroHappold to design this exciting new library project. The library has the potential to have a catalytic effect on the university's wider plan to revitalise the Clifton Campus, with public elements that will provide a space for knowledge and social exchange between the university community and the wider public."

Morten Schmidt, Founding Partner of Schmidt Hammer Lassen, said:

"Libraries make a difference in people's lives. Not only for scholars, researchers and students, but for all citizens. They bring people and communities together -- and they release potential. This building will be a beacon of knowledge and it will play a vital part in the life and experience of the University of Bristol and the city of Bristol itself. It will be a sustainable, contemporary, welcoming, and fun place to be -- while remaining in harmony with the rich traditions and history of its surroundings."