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Plumstead Centre

A winning blend of community and heritage

A Grade II-listed public library refurbished, extended and transformed into a new civic anchor for Plumstead.

Plumstead Library was built in 1903 and gained listed status in 2016 – yet the library’s use had diminished throughout the past century. Seeking to create a new facility that combined a range of community-aimed functions, the council commissioned a major transformation.

Improved library rooms, new leisure facilities, reinstated flexible spaces, and a new café create a new social destination on the High Street for the community to use.

Refurbishment also uncovered some of the building’s previous glory including the original vaulted ceiling, which had been hidden for over 70 years.

The marriage of leisure and library services under one roof has prompted one local resident to name this new typology a “gymbrary”.

Elements of past, present and future Plumstead have been seamlessly embedded within the building. Plumstead Centre was designed through close collaboration and discussion with residents, and I am incredibly proud of the Centre and the new year-round opportunities it will offer residents through its flexible and adaptable design
Street view of Plumstead Centre at sunset.

Project details

Project name: Plumstead Centre

Location: London, UK

Service: Sustainable design

Value: < £20M

Scope: Architecture

Clients: The Royal Borough of Greenwich

Status: Complete

Completion date: 2020

Structural engineer: PBA

M+E: PBA

Project management: Faithful+Gould

Quantity surveyor: Faithful+Gould

Planning consultant: BPTW

Photography: Jack Hobhouse, Tim Crocker

Awards

RIBA London Awards 2022
Winner

RIBA Awards 2022
Conservation - Winner

AJ100 2021
Building of the Year - Winner

Civic Trust Awards 2021
National - Winner

If you want to know more about our civic, community & culture work, contact Adam Cossey