The refurbishment of the University of Bristol’s Grade II* listed Wills Memorial Library has been nominated for the Heritage Award at the CIOB’s South West Built Environment Awards Dinner in Bristol.

Capita provided structural engineering, project management and CDMC services on the project which is housed in the Wills Memorial Building, one of the first composite designed buildings in the UK.

The Wills Memorial Library comprises two wings, one of which is an original feature of the Wills Memorial Building built from 1911-25 and the other of which was added in the 1940s. The space they occupy is architecturally impressive with grand dimensions, ornate features and original furniture.

The library is the second most heavily used library in the University and occupies a prestigious space in one of the University’s most prominent buildings. It is used by students from many departments who regard the library as a good working environment and is also popular with staff and visitors to the University.

The key aims of the project, as defined in consultation with students and the university, were:

• Retaining and enhancing the historic fabric and scholarly atmosphere of the library.
• Improving the heating/ventilation, lighting, power and data for silent study spaces.
• Creating an entrance that is more in keeping with the grand nature of the library, including improvements to the corridor leading to the library.
• Providing flexible spaces for group study and for subject librarians to deliver information literacy sessions.

Due to the nature of the works, which also had to be undertaken while keeping the library fully operational, close liaison was necessary with the university’s library team, the council’s conservation officer, and English Heritage.

The awards ceremony tales place on Friday 13 June.