RIBA Award-winning library, housing one of the world’s finest collections of books and manuscripts in one of the most impressive neo-Gothic buildings in Europe
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- JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY, MANCHESTER
John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
The University of Manchester’s John Rylands Library houses one of the world’s finest collections of books and manuscripts in one of the most impressive neo-Gothic buildings in Europe. For many years, however, the building was difficult to negotiate and maintain with many inaccessible areas and a lack of visitor facilities. Working with conservation architect Lloyd Evans Prichard, Austin-Smith:Lord’s brief was to ‘unlock’ the Rylands by preserving the existing buildings and collections whilst enhancing the Library’s accessibility and public profile.
Austin-Smith:Lord designed a striking new five-storey extension to the Grade I listed building aimed at raising the Library’s public profile. The design added a new public entrance with café and shop,10,000 linear metres of archive storage, a conservation workshop and a reading room.
CLIENT: UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
COMPLETION: 2007
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE
SECTOR: EDUCATION, ARTS & CULTURE
CONTRACTOR: LINFORD
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: CURTINS CONSULTING
SERVICES: GIFFORD
COST CONSULTANT: APPLEYARD & TREW
AWARDS:
2008 RIBA AWARD
Our mission was to consolidate the Museum onto one site and give it a striking new presence in the city
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- PEOPLE’S HISTORY MUSEUM
Manchester’s People’s History Museum’s unique collections track the development of democracy through the lives of the working people of Britain.
Although boasting a world class collection the Museum’s split between two sites had neither helped its public profile or its operation and management. Our job was to help the museum consolidate onto one site and to give the museum a striking new presence in the city.
A piece of Manchester City Council owned land next to the museum’s occupation of an Edwardian hydraulic pumping station unlocked the potential for a landmark extension providing new galleries and front-of-house facilities and allowing a sensitive restoration of the historic buildings.
A new entrance next to a busy city centre artery leads into a generous new concourse area linking the old and new areas of the museum. A new riverside restaurant and terrace helps raise the public’s awareness of the museum.
The upper level of the new extension house environmentally conditioned galleries for the permanent collection and a state-of-the-art conservation studio. At its lowest level it provides a new BS5454 archive with a reading room overlooking the River Irwell.
Clad in COR-ten steel, the new extension has been described as “a little miracle of urban design”
A little miracle of Urban Design
Manchester Confidential
A rough diamond that doesn’t have to compete with its bigger neighbour…This building really cheers me up by its don’t give a damn individuality as I come to work. Brilliant piece of work love it
Craig Jill on Manchester Confidential
CLIENT: MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL / PEOPLE'S HISTORY MUSEUM
COMPLETION: 2010
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
CONTRACTOR: WATES GROUP
STRUCTURES: CURTINS
SERVICES: BURO HAPPOLD
COST CONSULTANT: SIMON FENTON PARTNERSHIP
AWARDS:
2011 CIVIC TRUST AWARD WINNER
2011 MSA DESIGN AWARDS COMMENDATION
2010 GREATER MANCHESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARD, BUILDING OF THE YEAR
2007 MANCHESTER SOCIETY ARCHITECTS DESIGN AWARDS – UN-BUILD COMMUNITY AWARD
Refurbishment of the Grade II Mansion House within Calderstones Park to create The Reader’s International Centre for Shared Reading
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- THE READER, CALDERSTONES PARK
The Reader, Calderstones Park
The project vision was to refurbish the Mansion House within Calderstones Park to create The Reader’s International Centre for Shared Reading. Alongside its International profile, The Reader is primarily a community based organisation. This project sought to build on that relationship and improve both the facilities and its offer.
The Mansion House was constructed in 1828 and is grade II listed. It includes an art deco outdoor theatre in the ‘secret garden’ to the rear of the house, added in 1945.
CLIENT: THE READER ORGANISATION
COMPLETION: 2019
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE, INTERIORS, CONSERVATION
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
CONTRACTOR: JOHN TURNER CONSTRUCTION GROUP LTD
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: CURTINS
SERVICES: CHARLES ANDREWS LTD
COST CONSULTANT: TODD & LEDSON
RIBA Award winning G-Live Concert Hall and entertainment venue
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- G-LIVE CONCERT HALL, GUILDFORD
G-Live Concert Hall, Guildford
Austin-Smith:Lord’s masterplan for a new Cultural Quarter in Guildford town centre includes the design of the RIBA Award winning G-Live Concert Hall and entertainment venue. In addition, part of the development is a new 4*, 185-bedroom Guildford Radisson Edwardian Hotel for which Austin-Smith:Lord was the concept design architect.
The G-Live venue opened to the public in 2012. It comprises a flexible multi-purpose auditorium, flexible studio rehearsal space, conference and seminar rooms, a café, bars and foyer space. The venue provides a focus for cultural events in the evening and is an important social hub and meeting place during the day.
We’ve had lots of compliments about the building and how well people think it will work operationally, so many thanks for your achievement! Everyone who has had any dealings with the venue thus far has commented how attractive and user friendly the design is.
Jim Miles, Director, Guildford Borough Council
CLIENT: GUILDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
COMPLETION: 2012
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE, INTERIORS
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
CONTRACTOR: WILLMOTT DIXON
STRUCTURES: URS/SCOTT WILSON
SERVICES: ROGER PRESTON & PARTNERS
COST CONSULTANT: MDA CONSULTING
AWARDS:
RIBA AWARD
The Austin-Smith:Lord / MVRDV proposal was to redefine Perth City Hall as Perth’s Living Room; a place for everybody to enjoy
Perth City Hall Design Competition
A team led by Austin-Smith:Lord, working in in collaboration with MVRDV, were shortlisted in a design competition to revitalise the vacant, B-Listed Perth City Hall to bring the building back into public use and create an international cultural destination for permanent and temporary exhibits.
The neo-Classical hall has been closed since 2006. The revitalised building will deliver 3,000 sqm of cultural, creative and community spaces in the heart of the city centre.
Our proposal was to redefine Perth City Hall as Perth’s Living Room; a place for everybody to enjoy. We proposed a fresh, dynamic cultural collector and connector reflecting Perth’s place in the modern world; a new type of exhibition space, unique in its flexibility and adaptability revealed by peeling back the stone facade.
The Austin-Smith:Lord / MVRDV proposal received the most votes in a public and online exhibition.
Our team are thrilled to be shortlisted for this exciting project. Once again extending our longstanding collaboration with internationally renowned architects, MVRDV of Rotterdam, with whom we are preparing the (Y)our City Centre masterplans for Glasgow City Council will bring an added dimension to the project. Redefining Perth City Hall as an innovative and contemporary cultural space presents a significant opportunity for the City to create a world-renowned destination that will benefit the local community and raise Perth’s international profile.
Graham Ross – Partner, Austin-Smith:Lord
CLIENT: PERTH & KINROSS COUNCIL
COMPLETION: 2017
SERVICE: LEAD CONSULTANT, ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE, CONSERVATION
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
CONCEPT ARCHITECTS: MVRDV
LOCAL ADVISOR: FERGUS PURDIE ARCHITECTS
LIGHTING: DPA
ACOUSTICS: NEW ACOUSTICS
A project to restore the clock tower at one of Glasgow’s most famous buildings
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- GALLERY OF MODERN ART
A project to restore the clock tower at one of Glasgow’s most famous buildings led by Austin-Smith:Lord has now been completed. Restoration work at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) focused on the 189 year old clock tower and weather vane, which have been cleaned, restored and reinstated.
Previously coated in stained cream masonry paint and cement repairs, together with vegetation growing out of the Corinthian column bases, the clock tower needed an extensive series of conservation repairs.
Glasgow Life, which manages GoMA, instructed conservation accredited architects at the Glasgow studio of Austin-Smith:Lord to assess the true condition of the tower and advise on a suitable repair strategy.
The project, which was undertaken by City Building Group LLP and CBC Stone, received financial grant support from Historic Environment Scotland.
The Gallery of Modern Art is a building firmly tied to the history of Glasgow itself. We are delighted to reveal the restored clock tower and weather vane, in complete working order just in time for its 200th anniversary.
I’m very pleased with the delicate restoration work undertaken by Austin-Smith:Lord, who were careful to ensure the results were sympathetic to the historic keeping of the building and the wider environment. This refurbishment ensures generations to come have the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful building in full as it was originally intended.
Councillor Archie Graham – Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow Life
COMPLETION: 2016
SERVICE: CONSERVATION, ARCHITECTURE
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
CONTRACTOR: CITY BUILDING GROUP LLP
MASONRY: CBC STONE
RICS NW Building of the Year: Restoration and extension of the near derelict Grade II* Listed Church and Friary
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- MONASTERY OF ST FRANCIS & GORTON
Monastery of St Francis & Gorton
The Grade II* Listed Church and Friary of St Francis, designed by the acclaimed Victorian architect, Edward Pugin, for the Franciscan Order, was listed by the World Monuments Fund as one of the ‘Hundred Most Endangered Monuments’ in the world. Austin-Smith:Lord was appointed as architects, conservation architects and landscape designers for the project which restored and extended the near derelict building.
The restored Monastery building now houses a commercially run visitor, conference and events centre incorporating an education and training suite. It was completed in 2007 and has been the recipient of many awards including a Civic Trust Commendation.
The dedication of Austin-Smith:Lord has been one of the main factors that has enabled our project to survive.
Elaine Griffiths – Project Director, Monastery of St Francis & Gorton Trust
CLIENT: THE MONASTERY OF ST FRANCIS & GORTON TRUST
COMPLETION: 2007
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, CONSERVATION, LANDSCAPE
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
CONTRACTOR: WILLIAM ANELAY LTD
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: ATKINS
SERVICES: RW GREGORY & PARTNERS
COST CONSULTANT: DAVIS LANGDON
AWARDS:
2009 RICS NW BUILDING OF THE YEAR
2009 RICS NATIONAL CONSERVATION AWARD COMMENDATION
2008 CIVIC TRUST COMMENDATION
Full refurbishment of the Grade B Listed auditorium
Austin-Smith:Lord led the design team for the full refurbishment of the CategoryB Listed Gaiety Theatre, Ayr completed in 2016.
The work has been carried out over two phases. The first focussed on front-of-house audience facilities and the second rejuvenated the auditorium interior back to its Edwardian splendour with subtle colours and new seating all in keeping with the intimate interior.
The Gaiety auditorium is quite unique and one of the most important provincial working and teaching theatres in Scotland.The auditorium was originally designed by Alexander Cullen, acclaimed local Scottish architect from the practice of Cullen, Lockhead and Brown of Hamilton and was opened in 1903.
Image credit: Guy Hinks
Over eight years ago, Ayr Gaiety Partnership dreamt about this day. I am overwhelmed and delighted by the response we’ve received from our local and national partners and members of the community who continue to support us as we step into our next chapter.
Jeremy Wyatt – Gaiety Theatre Chief Executive (on reopening the newly refurbished theatre)
CLIENT: AYR GAIETY PARTNERSHIP
COMPLETION: 2016
SERVICE: CONSERVATION, ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
CONTRACTOR: WORKSMART LTD
STRUCTURES: GROSSART & ASSOCIATES
SERVICES: IRONS FOULNER
COST CONSULTANT: ARMOUR COST CONSULTANTS
We are developing a vision for the future of this Grade 1 Listed building
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- OLD COLLEGE, ABERYSTWYTH
Austin-Smith:Lord has had a longstanding relationship with Old College and has been instrumental in the delivery of a restoration and adaptive re-use project for the building since 2012.
In 2012, Aberystwyth University engaged Austin-Smith:Lord to lead the preparation of a Feasibility Study into the adaptive reuse of the Grade 1 listed Old College building in Aberystwyth. This Study was completed in 2013.
In 2015, the University revisited the findings of that Study, reviewed the options presented and prepared an updated Business Case. Following this, the University again engaged Austin-Smith:Lord to prepare revised information describing the potential use(s) of the building in the future in support of a Heritage Lottery Funding Stage 1 Application.
Stage 1 Funding for the Development Stage was confirmed in summer 2017 and Austin-Smith:Lord joined a team led by Lawray Architects to provide Conservation Architecture, Interior Design and Landscape Design services through to submission of a full Planning and Listed Building Consent Application and National Lottery heritage Fund Stage 2 Application.
Stage 2 funding was confirmed in December 2019 and Austin-Smith:Lord developed the detailed design of the Conservation, Interiors and Landscape components of the scheme.
The Main Contractor was appointed in 2022 with the capital project due to be completed mid 2025.
As the project continues, I am enjoying the excitement amongst both academic and local communities, and the discussions within the team of experts who are working on the project – the architects, engineers, historic building experts, and business planning and heritage activity specialist.
Jim O’Rourke – Old College Project Manager
CLIENT: UNIVERSITY OF ABERYSTWYTH
COMPLETION: 2025
SERVICE: CONSERVATION, ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS, LANDSCAPE
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE, EDUCATION
CONTRACTOR: ANDREW SCOTT LTD
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: MANN WILLIAMS
SERVICES: HOARE LEA
COST CONSULTANT: BLAKE MORGAN / RPA
AWARDS:
PLANNING AWARD, BEST USE OF HERITAGE IN PLACEMAKING
A striking new rooftop extension to Birmingham Hippodrome’s campus, the home of Birmingham Royal Ballet
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- DANCE HUB, BIRMINGHAM
Austin-Smith:Lord was commissioned to design a new extension to the existing estate of facilities operated by Birmingham Hippodrome in the centre of the city.
The development provides a new dance studio and changing facilities for professional and community use, office space for One Dance UK; the national body for dance, meeting spaces, a reception and a kitchenette.
The extension, on the roof of the existing Birmingham Royal Ballet Headquarters building, together with the Hippodrome, DanceXchange and Birmingham Royal Ballet forms a coherent suite of facilities for the Dance Community in Birmingham and the greater West Midlands area.
The architectural plans for the Dance Hub in Birmingham look very exciting. This collaborative space certainly promises to provide something special. It is great to see that the city has taken this opportunity to further accelerate the West Midlands’ reputation as an international leader in the most inclusive of art forms. This looks to be a great addition to the region’s thriving cultural offer.
Peter Knott – Area Director, Arts Council England
CLIENT: BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME
COMPLETION: 2019
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
CONTRACTOR: FABRITE CONSTRUCTION
STRUCTURES: MANN WILLIAMS
SERVICES: MAX FORDHAM
COST CONSULTANT: RPS
