Dezeen Magazine

Exterior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects

Gables and chimneys inform Magdalene College library by Niall McLaughlin Architects

Niall McLaughlin Architects referenced the brick and timber architecture of the University of Cambridge's historic Magdalene College in the design of its Stirling Prize-shortlisted New Library.

London-based Niall McLaughlin Architects won the project via an invited competition in 2014 to provide new facilities alongside the college's Grade I listed Pepys Library.

Exterior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Niall McLaughlin Architects has created the New Library at Magdalene College

With the brief calling for a building that would last 400 years, the studio responded with a design that uses modest forms and natural materials to create a diverse range of reading spaces.

The New Library is the first substantial addition to Magdalene College's main campus in 50 years and was recently shortlisted alongside five other schemes for this year's prestigious Stirling Prize.

Brick facade of library at Magdalene College
The building is shortlisted for this year's Stirling Prize

Organised on a tartan grid, the library features reading rooms topped by lantern skylights and lined with bookcases. They are connected by a network of passageways that frame views out to the adjacent gardens and river.

Contrasting openness and intimacy, a triple-height entrance hall leads into a central double-height reading room flanked by smaller square spaces. Above, an enfilade along the building's eastern offers views out over the college.

Facade of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
The form of the building references Magdalene College's existing architecture

"The main library is a suite of interconnecting rooms lined with bookcases, reading desks and galleries, arranged on a tartan grid between interconnecting passageways," explained Niall McLaughlin Architects.

"The stepping of these spaces in section is followed by the stepping of the plan form, which allows the building to address the differently-scaled garden spaces on its east and west elevations," it continued.

Interior of library with skylights
The studio introduced views throughout the building

The internal arrangement creates layered views that cut both ways through the building, framed by the red-brick piers and cross-laminated timber (CLT) of the library's structure. Overhead, the studio has incorporated large lantern skylights into the gabled roof forms.

"The intention is for all of the key features to be perceived as an interwoven set of elements," said the studio.

"Roof lights, columns, floor beams shelves, windows, desks and balustrades form a coherent warp and weft throughout the space," it added.

The geometry of the roof lights, which are lined internally with grooved timber panels, helps to flood the reading spaces with soft light while minimising direct sunlight and glare.

View from internal window in Magdalene College library in Cambridge
Redbrick piers and cross-laminated timber break up the space

Both the materiality and form of the New Library nod to older college buildings of Magdalene College, which feature load-bearing brick elements, chimneys, timber floors and gabled roofs.

The brick piers protrude from the library's roof in a series of chimney-like forms, which create a stack effect that helps circulate fresh air through the building in tandem with the windows and shutters.

Gabled roof
Gabled roof forms sit overhead

The New Library at Magdalene College is one of six buildings shortlisted for this year's Stirling Prize, which will all be featured on Dezeen ahead of the winning project's reveal next week at RIBA's London headquarters.

This year's shortlist is dominated by London projects, including Sands End Arts and Community Centre by Mæ Architects and Hackney New Primary School and 333 Kingsland Road by Henley Halebrown.

The photography is by Nick Kane.

More images and plans

Site plan of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Site plan
Ground floor plan of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Ground floor plan
First floor plan of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
First floor plan
Second floor plan of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Second floor plan
Roof plan of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Roof plan
Section of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Section
Section of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Section
Exterior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Exterior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Exterior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Interior of New Library, Magdalene College by Niall McLaughlin Architects