Bedford & Jobson Limited

Dartington College of Arts Library and Learning Resources Centre

Dartington College of Arts occupies a number of buildings scattered around the historic courtyard at the heart of the ancient estate. The building used as the College Library and Learning Resource Centre is a former granary and hay loft built from 1930 and converted for use as studios in the 1960s.

Situated within the curtilage of the hall and courtyard ranges the building shares the protections imposed by the scheduled ancient monument, grade I and II* listed status of these buildings. The aim of the project was to provide additional spaces as well as upgrading the building and giving the college a high quality resourse space accessible to all.

A mezzanine floor was inserted at high level which also ties together the structurally unsound building. A new staircase was constructed to give access to and escape from all levels and new openings north and south of the stair well were created. These are reminiscent in size and proportions of the threshing doors of a barn. The openings serve the dual purpose of filling the central spaces with light and giving the building, and the college, a public presence.

The modern aesthetic and palette of materials used for the new insertions include powder-coated steel glazing and light control louvres, folded steel plate stair with hardwood treads and limestone pavings to the ground floor. The building was equipped with passive ventilation and new power, lighting and alarm systems. Smooth plastered walls, painted stack-bond block and brickwork are finished in a variety of muted whites as a foil to the vivid blue curved wall enclosing the new WCs and the bright orange free-standing video room.