Architect |
Foster & Partners |
Date
Built |
Opened 1996 |
Location |
On the University of Cambridge's Sidgwick Site |
The Law Faculty of the University
of Cambridge, in a document entitled "The Squire
Law Library...rediscovered", says
this about the Squire Law Library, "This is a
building which allows the Law Faculty,
with its considerable administrative
needs, and the Squire Law Library to be
housed under one roof. Offices, study
areas, common rooms and lecture theatres
are also included. The new library has
space for expansion on the open stacks;
there are storerooms; and there is vastly
increased reader seating (a total of 530
spaces now being available)." Apparently the building is known on campus as "the bread-bin". Foster's website notes that, "The building is highly energy-efficient. Its partially buried structure and exposed concrete frame combine to give it high thermal mass, making it slow to respond to outside temperature changes. Together with high insulation values, this allows the use of mechanically assisted natural ventilation throughout - only the lecture theatres require seasonal cooling. A lighting management system reduces energy consumption, while heat recovery coils, linked to the air extract, reclaim waste heat." |