Gardner Stewart Architects provided a full architectural service for the £30M Croydon Library Complex, which was completed in 1995 and has won an RIBA award and Civic Trust commendation. We developed the brief with the client into a clear intent to establish a civic and cultural focal point for Croydon. The outcome was a phased development of refurbishment, newbuild and conversion associated with the Grade II listed Town Hall, comprising: Phase I, council conference facilities, mayoral suite and temporary library within the Town Hall; Phase II, demolitions and construction of 5-storey state-of-the-art public library; Phase III, introduction of new museum, arts and leisure facilities into redundant spaces within the Town Hall. The Town Hall was listed Grade II and located within a conservation area. We worked very closely with English Heritage, first to establish what we jointly and separately considered to be key features of the existing building and its setting. Through open dialogue with English Heritage, Council planners and our client, we were able to involve all parties in the design process and to arrive at solutions which addressed sometimes conflicting objectives. The result was both contextual and contemporary. FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit gardnerstewartarchitects.com