Manchester approves £7.6m Rylands library refresh
A reimagined main entrance, updated exhibition space, flexible events area, and an advanced imaging laboratory are all lined up for the grade one-listed John Rylands Research Institute and Library.
Manchester City Council has given the £7.6m project the go-ahead, enabling the University of Manchester to bring Donald Insall Associates’ vision for the library to life.
The library update is known as the Next Chapter project. It is meant to improve the visitor and research experience, paying homage to the building’s heritage while modernising its environmental, accessibility, and digital connectivity credentials.
“The Next Chapter project will deliver world-class facilities for research and engagement, of a quality to match our extraordinary collections and building,” said Professor Christopher Pressler, the John Rylands University Library and the director of the University of Manchester Library.
He added: “[Next Chapter] will equip the Rylands to address the many challenges and opportunities of the mid-21st century, and it will reinforce the Rylands’ importance to the university, the city of Manchester, and world heritage.”
Donald Insall associate architect, Rory Chisholm, delved more into the details of the Next Chapter’s design.
“The significance of the Rylands lies not only in its graceful architecture but in its life as a thriving research library,” he explained.
“We have developed a design that acts as a unifying gesture; threading together the many layers of the Rylands’ architectural history, whilst also better connecting visitors with the many uses of the building.
“The design language for these interventions references both the dark patina of the historic building and the contemporary aspiration of this exciting new chapter,” Chisholm continued.
“The most striking example of this is perhaps the upgraded modern entrance – formed of dark curved metal wings, reminiscent of book pages, that will create a distinct and welcoming arrival to the building.”
Nissen Richards Studio is leading the exhibition design for the Next Chapter project. Director Pippa Nissen elaborated on her team’s approach to the project.
“We are seeking to create an engaging environment with elegant displays, enhanced within the historic setting and supporting the John Rylands Research Institute and Library’s collection,” she said.
“The design seeks to display the collection in optimum viewing conditions as well as celebrating the existing architecture of the space.”
Nissen continued: “We are proposing to reinstate symmetry and hindered vistas in the permanent gallery and the temporary gallery by careful design of bespoke showcases and furniture, keying into existing datums and proportions of the room to create clarity. This will create a truly accessible display gallery central to the visitor experience.”
Joining Donald Insall and Nissen Richards on the project team are civil and structural engineer WML Consulting, project manager Arcadis, health and safety advisor Safer Sphere, and accessibility consultant IDACS. Hoare Lea is the MEP engineer, fire, and acoustic expert for the project.
Learn more about the approved applications by searching 137420/FO/2023 and 137421/LO/2023 on the Manchester City Council planning portal. The Rylands library was designed by Basil Champneys and opened in 1900.
