The project which cost £10.5 million features an events area, art displays, a gaming area, a dedicated children's library, a teaching area and a bookable 100-person meeting space.
Working to set KPIs with Morgan Sindall Construction and SCAPE Consultancy, the project delivered over £2m in social value. More than 60 per cent of spend was achieved by local small and medium sized enterprises as well as over £62,000 through non-profit organisations.
The library that spans three levels was created as part of collaboration between leading multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard, acclaimed architects FaulknerBrowns, M&E consultancy Chord, and Morgan Sindall Construction.
The library is Overbury's first major project to be obtained through SCAPE.
Andrew Wood, Managing Director at Overbury, said: "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, and it’s been exciting to see the new library take shape and the interiors have really made the building come alive.
"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."
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Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at Nottingham City Council, said: "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."
Richard Fielding, Area Director at Morgan Sindall Construction, stated: "Working with Overbury to deliver work through the SCAPE framework 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.
"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."
Steve Dickson, Associate Partner at FaulknerBrowns Architects said: "Our design references and is influenced by the city and its surroundings; colours, textures, and materials are of Nottingham, giving the interior a sense of place and connection to its environment. The library landscape is also rich in both traditional media and digital media, enabling learning for all."
Mark Robinson, Group Chief Executive at SCAPE, added: "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 through Morgan Sindall’s ongoing social value initiatives and community engagement.
"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."
This project has taken inspiration from Nottingham's lace-making heritage by prioritising cost-effective, modern techniques and designs. Materials such as timber has been selected for a natural aesthetic and improved sustainability.
Oliver Hatton, Director at Pick Everard, commented: "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. The work has been carried out to an extremely high standard - building on the achievements of the wider Broad Marsh bus station and car park development - and we’ve no doubt the public will be delighted with the finished product.
"We’re now looking to forward to the ongoing work in the wider regeneration zone, which will continue to transform the largest development space in any core city in Europe."
