Liverpool’s newly-renovated Central Library has won a top award for its design and architecture.
The library was joined by Everton primary school, The Four Oaks, which also won an award.
Central Library scooped the top prize in the Regeneration Category for the Civic Building of the Year at the Society for Construction and Architecture in Local Authorities (SCALA) awards.
Since reopening its doors in May 2013, after a massive £55 million face lift, the library has welcomed over 1.2 million visitors through its doors.
David Stoker, Central Library and Archive Manager, told JMU Journalism: “We are delighted to have won this important national award following a highly competitive application and judging process. We think that it demonstrates the high quality of the whole redevelopment and restoration and the wonderful and unique blend of old and new.”
The original library closed in 2010 and work on the new library began after ten years of planning. The building is now home to over four million documents, books and items.
Stoker continued: “Hundreds of thousands of new and existing users have flocked to the building and it has been universally admired.
“We believe that as well as recognising the architecture the award also reflects how much the community has appreciated and used the building, our collections and services, and it is a great credit to our staff how well and quickly they have adapted to make everything work seamlessly.”
Four Oaks Primary School was regarded highly by the judges for the use of space and light and its extensive play area which provides a ‘park like’ setting.
The school was formed from the federation of Hope Valley and Breckfield Primary Schools and is set over two-storeys. It was designed by the city council’s design joint venture partnership, 2020 Liverpool.