Address: The Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton's Close, Canongate, Edinburgh
Scottish Poetry Library: image © Adrian Welch
Opening Times
check with the Library, but at time of writing:
Mon to Fri 11am - 6pm; Sat 1pm - 5pm
image by Keith Hunter from Malcolm Fraser Architects
SPL - contact +44 (0)131 557 2876
image by Keith Hunter from Malcolm Fraser Architects
A grant from the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Fund was the main
finance for The Scottish Poetry Library building.
Scottish Poetry Library: image © Adrian Welch
Malcolm Fraser Architects
Scottish Poetry Library, Crichton's Close, off Canongate 1999
image by Keith Hunter from Malcolm Fraser Architects
Sensitive steel-framed addition to another close off the Royal Mile using
oak cladding and blue glazed terracotta tiles.
image © Adrian Welch
The Scottish Poetry Library presents a highly articulate façade to the
person emerging from the close’s narrow entry: the majority of users
will only see this façade and it is weighted accordingly.
image © Adrian Welch
Entry to the Library is in the centre between the clean lines of a stone
lectern and its pleinair‘audience’ the concrete steps - double-height
for seating, single for access. This mini-Greek theatre should enjoy greater
use when the dust and noise from the adjacent construction site abate.
image by Keith Hunter from Malcolm Fraser Architects
The steps and terrace to which they lead are protected by delightfully-detailed
lead balustrade and the mass is clad in blue glazed terracotta tiles.
These contrast well with the Scottish Poetry Library's warm oak vertical-board
cladding whose bolt fixings help create the façade's rhythm.
Scottish Poetry Library: image © Adrian Welch
Above the boarding lies a continuous mesh canopy; above this a glass clerestorey
joins the oversailing roof with a glimpse of the lime green ceiling that
continues inside. Note the inscription underfoot at the Scottish Poetry
Library entry - 'By leaves we live' - by Edinburgh notable, Sir Patrick
Geddes and the connected leaf-patterned stone relief.
Scottish Poetry Library: image © Adrian Welch
Inside you are drawn past reception and under the mezzanine which covers
half the floor, towards the light. The double-height space is partially
separated from the mezzanine with stair and lift creating just enough
privacy. Oak is used throughout the Scottish Poetry Library, notably on
the ground-floor boarding with black vinyl for the stairs and mezzanine
floor, stainless steel for the balustrading and tern-coated stainlees
steel for the roof.
Scottish Poetry Library: image © Adrian Welch
The clerestorey to the East wall is angled (see from mezzanine) to align
with the height of the old rubble wall beyond. The ground floor is connected
to this wall using oak-clad loopholes currently containing plants internally.
All Scottish Poetry Library furniture is designed by the architect. The
ceiling contains large circular rooflights between dark grey beams. The
librarians love the lime-coloured ceiling - "it makes us feel like
we're in a wood"
image from Malcolm Fraser Architects
In summary the Scottish Poetry Library is a jewel of a building which
sits vividly in the mind (everyone remembers the blue tiles), best seen
from outside where it is cleverly articulated.
Scottish Poetry Library: image © Adrian Welch
Scottish Poetry Library Awards:
RIBA Award 2000
Civic Trust Award 2000
Highly Commended, Regeneration of Scotland Award 2000
Building Design 4 Jun 1999: supplement available in Library.
Scottish Poetry Library: image © Adrian Welch
The Library was shortlisted for Channel 4's Building of the Year 2000.
Scottish Poetry Library:image © Adrian Welch
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The Scottish Poetry Library Website: www.spl.org.uk