Celebrating Identity Through Context: Todmorden's Library
Echoing the steeple of the Methodist church that once stood on the site, the proposal’s monumental form creates a landmark recognisable from the surrounding Upper Calder Valley. Reflecting Continuity Atelier’s values, the building rises from pedestrian routes to the site reinvigorating dimly lit ginnels that were once areas rich in community spirit and identity. This approach allows context to influence the design process just as the building will influence its context. Adapting ‘creative city theory’ to the project’s scale, creative spaces are integrated throughout the library, redefining traditional library concepts and celebrating Todmorden’s industrial and craft heritage. Contrasting facades enhance the dramatic aesthetic while addressing the climate crisis: a glazed southern facade regulates temperature through daylighting, while a Yorkshire stone-clad northern facade releases thermal energy at night.
