Christ's College's Bodley Library
“Activating Bodley” sets out a range of sensitive, transformative interventions at the historic heart of Christ’s College to significantly improve use, access to and awareness of these significant spaces and their collections. The restoration of the library and archive project will improve and increase library study spaces, provide a diversity of space, make use of an underused space, celebrate an iconic space and improve public and visitor facilities and experience.Client
Christ's College
Location
Cambridge, UK
Dates
2023-ongoing
Revitalised
For the first time in around 80 years, the Bodley library will be able to be used for regular study by Christ’s students. 18 much needed additional reader spaces provided in the central aisle of the historic Bodley providing a 30% increase in reader spaces for the under-provisioned college library. A high quality, bespoke, bench will provide study space and a flexible exhibition surface.
Celebrated
A celebration of four historically significant rooms on the oldest range of Christ’s College where revitalisation, access and legibility is provided through new uses and carefully designed interventions.
Public
A designated and purpose-built exhibition space for permanent public access with the ability to show the historically significant collections. Ready access from First Court to the exhibition space, via L staircase with a new glazed door will provide public views (and periodic access) along the historic Bodley library.
