Stonyhurst College

The Study Place, occupying an important and central position on the South Fronts, was converted into the More Library in 1966.

In 1997, an outline plan was developed by the Library Committee for the complete refurbishment of the More Library. Cassidy + Ashton were appointed in 2003 to develop the proposals.

This double height space contained a perimeter Gallery with spiral staircases to access further book storage. The dark timbers, the green ceiling and green walls, together with a hard tile floor, although serving its purpose for some 40 years, had now become very dated.

• The works involved an extension to the existing Gallery to create a computer space.
• Provision of glass balustrading.
• The design of an oval Librarian's Desk providing 360° supervision.
• Open tread staircases with glass balustrading.
• A bespoke design for the Library shelving, creating a pattern of display.
• A central leisure Reading Area, dividing the space into two halves:-

One half contained moveable tables, (the ones from the original 1933 version of the More Library), to allow some flexibility of use.

The other half contained bespoke fixed Study Desks with desk lighting and power points for Laptop Computers. Glass dividers, etched with the School Crest, separate the individual working spaces and allow the Crest to be reflected on the desk tops in bright sunlight.

• Under-floor heating and carpet add to the ambiance of the space.
• The existing timber beams and ceilings were stripped back to the original timber and re-decorated.
• Uplighters were installed, and a lighter paint applied to the wall surfaces.
• Historic glass was introduced into the existing windows after extensive repairs to the existing metal frames.
• A carving of the College Crest in English Oak was produced by Martyn Bednarczuk, a local carver, was fixed centrally to the Gallery over the Librarian's Desk.

On Friday, 10th September 2004, the Library was officially re-opened by Paul Johnson OS, (an eminent Historian Writer and Journalist), who commented in the October 2004 Edition of The Spectator:

"This new place is a magnificent affair, the best School Library I have every seen, with all the latest equipment, but also light and airy, comfortable, spacious, and delectably quiet... a paradise for studious boys and girls to acquire that most valuable of all possessions, a taste for reading".

The Stonyhurst Magazine records the comments of the Bursar, Mr J Ridley:

"The success of this project, (as for all recent development work, is attributable to the hard work and vision of the Stonyhurst Building Manager, Joe Smalley, and the Architect, Michael Hartley of Cassidy + Ashton. Their particular combination of skills and passion for working here at Stonyhurst bring together the respect for the traditions inherent in the structure of this historic building, the skills of our own labour force, the interests and concerns of English Heritage and the Local Authority Conservation Planning Officer, the requirements of the best use of the space available for the Academic and Pastoral benefit of the pupils and the ever shifting and growing influence and demands of Building Regulations. They, and all involved on this project, are to be congratulated."