Peckham Library

Peckham Library stands in Peckham, a district of south-east London. The building was designed by Alsop and Störmer and won the Stirling Prize for Architecture in 2000. Its shape resembles an inverted capital letter ‘L’, with the upper section held up by thin steel pillars at odd angles. The outside is covered in pre-patinated copper that has weathered to a greenish tone. A public space sits beneath the raised structure, while the quiet reading area is lifted above street noise. The library occupies the fourth floor of the five-storey building. The judges praised the design for turning a conventional library plan into something new. They admired how the architects used the footprint to create extra public space below and separate the reading rooms from street disturbance. The ground and first floors contain the information and media centre. Over half a million people visit each year, drawn by the striking architecture and varied activities. The building has also inspired later designs, such as SuperC in Aachen, Germany. Visitors find a lively mix of services on different floors. Children’s activities occupy one area, while adults use the media centre and reading spaces. The raised design keeps the library open and airy, with views across Peckham. The copper cladding catches the light and changes colour with the weather. Inside, the space feels both modern and welcoming, a place where people come to read, study or meet.