Newmarket Academy

The new library building features a terraced seating area connecting the existing library to a new first floor, with an undercroft area beneath.

Inside the new building, striking multi-coloured acoustic baffles are suspended from the underside of the first-floor roof structure. Full-height windows fill the library with natural light, providing a bright and engaging reading environment for students.

Angled slatted sunshades add a distinct dimension to the exterior of the building, with the exterior colour scheme of the new library consistent with its interior.

Working in the heart of an active school environment comes with its challenges. SEH French overcame such health and safety and environmental risks by ensuring that every stage of our project was meticulously planned and coordinated by our team, in conjunction with our supply chain. Such planning ensured the safety of the site personnel and the staff and children alike, while minimising disruption to the school’s everyday activities.

While leading the project, we remained in regular communication with the academy to ensure that they were always aware of our next steps. Effective cooperation with the academy and subcontractors involved with the build led to a successful overall project.

The library was officially opened by TV presenter Clare Balding in December 2019.

• Client: Newmarket Academy
• Programme: 38 weeks
• Location: Newmarket, Suffolk
• Structural Engineers: Superstructures Structural Engineering and Design
• Architect: Wincer Kievenaar Architects
• Building Services Consultant: Williams Holloway Associates Ltd