Worcester Library ‘The Hive’
Worcester Library ‘The Hive’
The Hive is the UK’s first purpose-built joint-use library serving the University of Worcester and the public. The Hive incorporates the county archive, local history centre, accommodation for the County Archaeology team and a ‘one stop shop’ for the local authority. It is a multipurpose building, effectively designed to meet the challenge of providing a wide range of public services whilst promoting social and environmental sustainability.
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 Malvern Hills and the historic kilns of the Royal Worcester pottery.
The Hive was designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios in Bath, who have an excellent reputation for design quality, pioneering environmental expertise and a radical architectural approach.
Awards & Nominations
- 2009: Be Inspired: Infrastructure Best Practices Symposium: Innovation in Generative Design: First Prize
- 2012: Partnerships Awards: Best Community Project: Shortlist
- 2012: Partnerships Awards: Best Sustainability in a Project: Winner
- 2012: Partnerships Awards: Best Pathfinder Project: Shortlist
- 2012: Partnerships Awards: Best Local Government Project Team: Shortlist
- 2012: Partnerships Awards: Best Designed Project: Shortlist
- 2012: FX Awards, Public Building – FX International Interior Design Awards 2012 – Shortlist
KEIM Mineral Paints were pleased to be selected as the preferred supplier of paint for the internal concrete surfaces for such an iconic and distinctive building.
KEIM Concretal Lasur is a colour wash finish specifically developed for concrete surfaces. It is diluted using a complementary product using differing ratios and opacities to achieve the required colour and coverage, whilst still enabling surfaces to look like unpainted concrete. The system can also be applied to minimise any unsightly repairs to concrete after installation.
KEIM Concretal Lasur bonds to the concrete surface creating a microcrystalline structure which allows the free passage of moisture vapour which will not inhibit heat transfer for thermal mass purposes.
KEIM Concretal Lasur is highly light reflective, even a strongly diluted application will increase the light reflectivity of the substrate, maximising the effect of both natural and artificial light. Manufactured using natural earth oxide pigments, KEIM Concretal Lasur is not affected by UV light, ensuring colour stability throughout its lifetime.
KEIM Concretal Lasur is an extremely versatile product and dilution rates can be varied throughout a building or project to ensure that the desired opacities and finishes can be achieved, whilst maintaining a natural concrete finish, to an extremely high quality standard.
Photos courtesy of Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
