Historic England Supports University of Sussex Plans for Listed Library
Historic England supports the plans to improve access to the University of Sussex’s Grade II* listed Library, designed by renowned architect Sir Basil Spence.
Historic England advisers worked closely with the University’s design team to help find a practical and creative design, which also respected the Falmer campus’s modernist architecture designed by Sir Basil Spence.
At the heart of the proposals by Keith Williams Architects is a new circular brick lift tower, which will better connect the main public space to the Library’s main entrance. A new, gently inclined ramp will create a link to the northern part of the campus.
Planning permission and listed building consent have recently been granted. Construction is expected to begin later this year.
We have created designs that both honour the iconic architectural legacy of Sir Basil Spence and meet the needs and expectations of our University community.
The freestanding lift tower has been sensitively designed to complement the other Spence buildings on site, 8 of which are listed. Their monumental forms in local red brick, flint and concrete were officially recognised for their architectural and historic significance in the early 1990s.
The University Library was built between 1962 and 1971. As a Grade II* listed building, it is among the top 10% of England’s most significant historic places.
"By working with Historic England during the design process, the University has successfully balanced the need for better access to the Library and northern campus with the conservation and celebration of Sir Basil Spence’s 1960s design, which is one of the things that makes the place special.
Adapting any historic building to meet 21st-century needs requires a level of compromise, and we believe the agreed design is the best solution possible. We are excited to see these plans realised on site to benefit students, staff, and the wider University community."
Alma Howell, Inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas
Historic England
As the government's expert advisor on England's heritage, part of Historic England's role is to advise on development proposals affecting the historic environment. Historic England was involved in detailed discussions with the University of Sussex during the development of the plans alongside Brighton & Hove City Council.
Sir Basil Spence
The University of Sussex was 1 of 7 new universities built in England in the 1960s. Sussex was the first, and architect Sir Basil Spence was appointed in 1959 as his unique design for the new Coventry Cathedral was nearing completion.
During his career, Sir Basil Spence (1907 to 1976) was responsible for numerous churches, schools, housing schemes and especially university buildings, including the Erasmus Building at Queen’s College, Cambridge – the first modernist building on ‘the Backs’.
Other notable buildings by Spence are Coventry Cathedral (Grade I listed), Hyde Park Barracks in London, and the British Embassy in Rome. He was President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) between 1958 and 1960.
Listed libraries
England is home to some of the world's greatest examples of library architecture. From the magnificent John Rylands Library in Manchester to the bold British Library in London, many are listed buildings.
There are 875 entries on the National Heritage List for England for libraries, including 97 Grade I, 109 Grade II*, and 669 Grade II listed buildings that were either built as libraries or used as a library in their history. They are often listed with other civic and educational buildings such as town halls, art galleries, universities or institutes.
Historic England has published research on the design and development of libraries, particularly public libraries.
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The English Public Library 1850-1939Published 29 July 2016
Introductions to Heritage Assets. An introduction to the history and development of library buildings.
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The English Public Library 1945-85Published 29 July 2016
Introductions to Heritage Assets. A short guide looks at the development of public libraries in England after the Second World War.
