Highgate School in London was established in 1565 by Royal Charter of Queen Elizabeth the First. Today, the school is a Grade II heritage building for its gothic exterior, which dates back to the 1800s. The school is a leading independent, coeducation school with 1400 pupils annually. In 2014, Highgate revealed their newly renovated library, opened by former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The library’s official title is the Sir Martin Gilbert Library, named after the famous historian and official Winston Churchill biographer.

Before the redevelopment, the current library area was originally two floors, with the old library on the upper ground level and four separate classrooms on the lower ground level.

The renovations expanded  the library to occupy both floors, with a horseshoe-shaped mezzanine level. This provides the library with more study areas and IT stations, and also allows people on the upper level to look down on the main section of the library. This flexibility means the library can also be used as an assembly hall for events such as music performances, with the audience observing from the mezzanine above.

IBL supplied the lights for the renovated library. Peter Deer and Associates, the consulting engineers for the project, selected Round 80 and Round 90 tilt downlights, which provide a warm, yet functional, light to the surroundings. They also offer a wall wash effect on the existing dark wood panels and operate at 6W per fitting, which ensures low level running costs.

With only limited space available, the Highgate School’s library redevelopment provides a practical and flexible solution. The space is warm and inviting, and makes good use of space to offer more options for a variety of activities. 

All images thanks to Peter Deer and Associates and Samar Rezvan.