The Old Library Liverpool Building, Green Lane Property, Old Swan, OMI Architects News
The Old Library Liverpool Building
1 May 2022
Address: The Old Library, Green Lane, Old Swan, Liverpool L13 7EB
The Old Library, Liverpool, North West England, UK
6 projects have been awarded RIBA North West Awards.
Design: OMI Architects

photo © Peter Cook
The Old Library, Liverpool by OMI Architects
Jury Report
The Old Library, a much loved community asset which was closed in 2006, after 100 years use as a library, had fallen into a state of neglect and disrepair. It was placed on Liverpool?s ?Buildings At Risk? register. Meanwhile, a local charity group had been established nearby to address the lack of childcare in the area. They had no permanent space but evolved through a series of portacabins due to demand. Lister Steps? charitable mission is to enhance the life chances of families and individuals in the area and they identified the library as a potential ?home? for their cause. The brief to a shortlisted architect competition was to create a nursery and community hub within the confines of the existing, dilapidated building for a modest budget.
photo © Paul Karalius
The result is an incredible social gesture with ?something for everyone? and a unique example of retro-fit. Carnegie?s historic structure has been divided diagonally to retain a single main entrance foyer whilst encouraging social interaction through a public cafe, community hub and main events hall. The c...