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Palace Green Library
Client - Durham University
Location - Durham, County Durham
Key Fact - Located within Durham World Heritage Site
Palace Green Library
Client - Durham University
Location - Durham, County Durham
Key Fact - Located within Durham World Heritage Site
We were appointed to design and manage a complex series of phased renovation and conservation works to the Palace Green Library, situated at the heart of Durham’s extended UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site includes the Chancery Court Building and Bishop Cosin’s Library, which are both listed and scheduled as ancient monuments. The buildings also house Durham University’s heritage collections of archives, manuscripts and rare books.
The scheme included public exhibition and interpretation space for the University’s archival and museum treasures. Part of the works also included the careful conservation of the 1669 Bishop Cosin’s Library back to its former glory. The ‘Dunelm’ and ‘Treasures’ Exhibition Galleries are the showpieces of the Library complex and were designed in consultation with the Museums Libraries and Archives Council to accommodate major national exhibitions, including display of the Lindisfarne and St. Cuthbert Gospels.
Other support facilities include a new reception, retail outlet, conservation workshop, BS 5454 strong rooms, and education outreach facility, as well as a visitors’ café.
“We have greatly enjoyed working with GSS in the creation of our new exhibition spaces in Palace Green Library. They have shown flair and imagination in re-using spaces in historic buildings, which complement the character of the buildings but provide high grade exhibition space. Above all, they have consulted with us and listened to our views. We look forward to working with them on the next phases of our project.”
