The Hive by Feilden CleggBradley Studios
Slideshow: just like the museum we published yesterday, this library in Worcester, England, by architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios is covered with shimmering squares of golden metal.
![The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/04/Dezeen_The-Hive-by-Feilden-Clegg-Bradley-Studios_1.jpg)
Positioned on the riverbank between the city centre and one of the campuses for Worcester University, the four-storey building contains an academic library for students, a public library, a county archive and a local history centre.
![The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/04/Dezeen_The-Hive-by-Feilden-Clegg-Bradley-Studios_3.jpg)
An extruded roof comprising seven rectangular cones divides the building into a conjoined cluster of blocks, which reflect the arrangement of rooms and spaces within.
![The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/04/Dezeen_The-Hive-by-Feilden-Clegg-Bradley-Studios_2.jpg)
These chimney-like forms draw light and ventilation into each of the reading rooms, as well as into a central atrium that connects each of the floors.
![The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/04/Dezeen_The-Hive-by-Feilden-Clegg-Bradley-Studios_8.jpg)
Balconies and staircases are picked out in ash, while a set of red, yellow and blue-painted volumes are slotted between rooms on one floor to provide a row of informal reading spots.
![The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/04/Dezeen_The-Hive-by-Feilden-Clegg-Bradley-Studios_a.jpg)
The building will open in July.
![The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/04/Dezeen_The-Hive-by-Feilden-Clegg-Bradley-Studios_12.jpg)
In the last year Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios have also completed a hospital unit for sick or premature babies, which you can see here.
![The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/04/Dezeen_The-Hive-by-Feilden-Clegg-Bradley-Studios_13.jpg)
Photography is by Hufton & Crow.
![The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/04/Dezeen_The-Hive-by-Feilden-Clegg-Bradley-Studios_14.jpg)
Here's some more text from the architects:
UK’s first purpose-built joint-use library to open in July
The Hive which will open in July is the UK’s first purpose-built joint-use library serving the University of Worcester and the county that incorporates the county archive, a local history centre, accommodation for the County Archaeologist’s team and a ‘one stop shop’ for the local authority: It’s a pioneering response to the challenge of providing a wide range of public services in an age of austerity whilst promoting social and environmental sustainability.
![The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/04/Dezeen_The-Hive-by-Feilden-Clegg-Bradley-Studios_15.jpg)
The distinctive form is a response to the project partners’ aspirations to create a beacon for learning in the city centre, a counterpoint to the Cathedral on the edge of the floodplain to the River Severn.
![The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/04/Dezeen_The-Hive-by-Feilden-Clegg-Bradley-Studios_16.jpg)
The Hive forms part of a new city block which incorporates an accessible route connecting the city centre, via the top of the medieval city wall, to the new Castle Street University campus – it is designed to entice passers by to come in and explore.
![The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/04/Dezeen_The-Hive-by-Feilden-Clegg-Bradley-Studios_4.jpg)
Sustainability was a high priority throughout: The Hive maximises daylight and natural ventilation via the seven iconic roof cones that echo the undulating ridgeline of the Malverns and the historic kilns of the Royal Worcester pottery.
![The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/04/Dezeen_The-Hive-by-Feilden-Clegg-Bradley-Studios_5.jpg)
Water from the river Severn provides peak cooling and locally sources biomass provides heating.
![The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/04/Dezeen_The-Hive-by-Feilden-Clegg-Bradley-Studios_b.jpg)
The building is designed to adapt to climate change predicted by UK-CIP to 2050. It has an A rated Energy Performance Certificate and confirmation is awaited on whether it has met or exceeded the requirement to achieve BREEAM Excellent.
![The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/04/Dezeen_The-Hive-by-Feilden-Clegg-Bradley-Studios_7.jpg)
The roof structure was designed using award winning software developed for the project which allowed the form to be constructed from solid laminated timber: This generated a saving of more than 2000 tonnes of CO2 compared to the initial design in steel and concrete.
![The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/04/Dezeen_The-Hive-by-Feilden-Clegg-Bradley-Studios_17.jpg)
The exterior is clad in a scaley carapace of copper alloy. Inside the palette of concrete and ash is animated by colours drawn from the palette used by Royal Worcester.
![The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/04/Dezeen_The-Hive-by-Feilden-Clegg-Bradley-Studios_18.jpg)
The development includes extensive new public realm with both hard landscape (using locally sourced Forrest of Dean Pennant) and planting which draws on indigenous species to create a new and rich habitat for wildlife.
![The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/04/Dezeen_The-Hive-by-Feilden-Clegg-Bradley-Studios_19.jpg)
The Hive, which was procured via a PFI process, is a testament to teamwork; from the inspiration of the Project Partners who identified the opportunity to create a generous new public facility to the creativity of the design team and the tenacity of the contractors it demonstrates that by sharing a vision and pulling in the same direction the UK construction industry can deliver extraordinary buildings.
![The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/04/Dezeen_The-Hive-by-Feilden-Clegg-Bradley-Studios_20.jpg)
Vital Statistics:
1.34 ha site,
12,371m2 gross external area
£29.7m total construction ex vat, fees, external works and FF+E
£2400/m2
15.8 CO2/m2/yr
4.3m3/m2 at 50 Pa air tightness
40% GGBFS in cement
Team:
Client: University of Worcester and Worcestershire County Council
Architect: Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Structural Engineer: Hyder Consulting (UK) Ltd/ Atelier One
M&E Engineer: Max Fordham LLP
Planning Supervisor: Arcadis AYH
Landscape Consultant: Grant Associates
Contractor: Galliford Try Construction
Cladding Consultant: Montresor Partnership
Fire Consultant: Exova Warringtonfire
Access Consultant: All Clear Designs