John O’Gaunt School in Hungerford needed to break the mould with its new Library and Internet Café as its existing traditional library was formal and cramped with poor lighting.

The new design proposed the utilisation of a courtyard and the introduction of north-lights to both the library and new internet café space. The brief was to maximise glazing and introduce vibrant colour and a dynamic space into what was previously a very traditional school.

The library project, including the infill of the courtyard, was constructed within a working school environment with the upgrade to the hall and servery carried out during the school holidays. Underfloor heating was used in the new library to declutter the walls and free up wall space for shelving and art displays.

• Working in a live school environment
• Design provides high levels of natural daylight
• Utilising courtyard space to create new Café
• Use of underfloor heating provides more free wall space for display and shelving