Creating Nottingham's new Central Library

Morgan Sindall Nottingham Central Library Exterior downloaded from MS website

22/11/2023

Nottingham's new Central Library, part of the wider Broad Marsh transformation programme, has had a stunning interior fit out and refurbishment, making it one step closer to opening.

Putting children and young people at the heart of its design, the new library which is owned by our shareholder Nottingham City Council, includes an immersive storytelling wall and different creative zones for a range of ages.

This collaborative project was accelerated by both our Construction and Consultancy frameworks, with Perfect Circle providing project management, quantity surveyor, principal designer and NEC supervisor services.

Delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction and sister company Overbury via our Construction framework, the dynamic space also features an events area that forms part of the foyer and public café, art displays, a gaming area for teenagers, a dedicated children’s library, a teaching area, and a bookable 100-person meeting space set within a three-level building featuring glass balustrades and a suspended staircase connecting two floors.

The library, which will officially open to the public on the 28 November 2023, is Overbury’s first major project to be procured through our construction framework, which was made possible through collaboration with Morgan Sindall Construction.

"Libraries are an important part of local communities and can be a vital lifeline for many people. This building will play a big part in the future of the city as it undergoes large-scale transformation. It’s been exciting to see the new library take shape and the interiors have really made the building come alive."

Andrew Wood

Managing Director, Overbury

“It’s also important to ensure the library is a welcoming environment for children and young people to help inspire a love of reading and books in our future generations. The space has been designed with them in mind and has been brought to fruition with the help of several local businesses and charitable organisations, delivering real value to the local area,” he concluded.

The opening marks a further step in Nottingham City Council's ambitious plans to create a modern and dynamic library at the centre of the multi-million-pound Broad Marsh regeneration area - a key element of the city’s Southside regeneration.

Plans for the wider transformation programme include a green infrastructure network linking Nottingham Castle to the Island Quarter regeneration site, and a new ‘green heart’ on the former Broad Marsh site, which we are delivering for Nottingham City Council in partnership with Willmott Dixon.

Creating Nottingham's new green heart

"The library is looking fantastic, and we are excited to open the doors the public in November. We have worked hard with construction partners like Overbury to create a state-of-the-art facility. It is a library that residents and visitors of all ages will love, but especially children who will be able to enjoy a fantastic collection of books, an immersive audio-visual story telling room and plenty of spaces to enjoy reading and take part in fun activities."

Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Nottingham City Council

Morgan Sindall Nottingham Central Library Interior 03 downloaded from MS website — The new library will include dedicated spaces for visitors of all age groups, tailored to their individual requirements.

Prioritising the local community

During delivery, both companies have been reinvesting in the city, supporting local businesses in Nottingham and the rest of the Midlands.

Morgan Sindall's KPIs included delivering £2m in social value, with more than 60% of the project spend benefiting local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the project also contributed over £62,000 to non-profit organisations.

The project has prioritised cost-effective, modern techniques and the designs - taking inspiration from Nottingham's lace-making heritage - utilising carefully selected materials, such as timber for a natural aesthetic and improved sustainability.

"Through SCAPE, the new library will be delivered with speed, efficiency, and value for money, and will ensure that a positive, sustainable legacy is created with Morgan Sindall’s ongoing social value initiatives and community engagement."

Mark Robinson

Group Chief Executive, SCAPE

Mark continues; "Nottingham City Council’s plan for regenerating the wider Broad Marsh area is redefining how public facilities can be integrated into modern spaces to meet the needs of a changing community, and each project within this is vital to help the city become carbon neutral by 2028."

"Working with Overbury to deliver the project through the SCAPE framework allowed us to demonstrate our group capability, and means we can collectively strive to transform local communities and leave meaningful and lasting legacies behind. This new Central Library is a perfect example of us working together to achieve exactly that, and we can’t wait to open its doors and for it to become a cornerstone of the community."

Rob Cant

SCAPE Framework Director, Morgan Sindall Construction

Rob continues; "it was also a privilege to give back to the city by working with local SMEs and supporting community initiatives to further benefit the area. The library is a truly modern, dynamic space and is something we hope the young people of today and tomorrow will enjoy for years to come."

We’re proud of how our close collaboration across the range of management, design and consultative services has resulted in delivering a valued space for the local community, underpinning our ethos of delivering better, together.

Oliver Hatton

Director, Pick Everard

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