Brighton and Hove library receives RIBA Award

A Chartered Institute of Building [CIOB] product story

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Sep 19, 2005

Brighton and Hove's Jubilee Library, which opened in March 2005 has been awarded RIBA's 'Best Public Building in the South East' award.

Brighton and Hove's Jubilee Library, which opened in March 2005 has been awarded RIBA's 'Best Public Building in the South East' award.

The award was presented in a ceremony last night attended by around 40 architects, along with representatives from Brighton and Hove City Council and the companies involved in creating the building.

Members of the public consultation panel that helped shape the new library were also invited.

The GBP14 million library is the centrepiece of a GBP50 million regeneration scheme in Brighton's cultural quarter and was funded by the government's Private Finance Initiative.

The library was designed by London-based Bennetts Associates and Brighton's Lomax, Cassidy and Edwards, and was inspired by the 19th century Paris libraries of Henri Labrouste.

It features a glass front wall, double-height interior and an upper mezzanine platform supported on white columns.

It is thought to be one of the most eco-friendly public buildings in the UK, drawing most of its heat, light and ventilation from sunshine and sea breezes.

The library was presented with a plaque by the RIBA South East Region, and will be put forward for the Stirling Prize, along with other regional winners.

Last year the award went to London's 'gherkin' and this year's winner will be announced in October.