This confident, contemporary public building expresses the understanding of client and architect of the building’s role in responding to urban conditions and meeting community needs. In a challenging local authority environment that demands value for money, and within a physical environment that is largely retail, the building incorporates moments of intrigue and delight; it has generous spatial qualities, makes good use of natural light, deploys a sophisticated material palette, and communicates its purpose through a ‘stacked book’ effect articulated on the façade.