CWC22114 - Wolverhampton Central Library Façade Refurbishment

The Wolverhampton Central Library façade and building envelope is in much need of repair and

restoration. The Central Library is a grade II* listed building. It was constructed in 1900-1902 to

the designs of the prolific competition-winning architect Henry Thomas Hare (1861-1921), who

specialised in libraries public buildings in the 'free Jacobean' style. The library has fine brick and

terracotta facades to the street fronts, with simpler brick elevations to the rear courtyard. William

Aumonier of London was involved in the modelling of the decorative terracotta. The roofs are

steeply pitched and tiled on the street fronts, but shallow pitched and slated to the rear. High

quality detailing includes a pair of copper domes and a tall fleche to the main entrance. Inside,

there is good stained glass and plasterwork and a dramatic staircase to the first floor reading

rooms.

The Library is an excellent example of its date, well-built in high quality materials. However, at 120

years old, it is now in need of a programme of repair, including to the roofs and terracotta. As

terracotta repairs are only likely to have a 20-25 year lifespan it is proposed that, where terracotta

is damaged, it should be replaced, in a matching material. This is a time-consuming specialist

procedure. Numerous other repairs to the façade and building envelope should be attended to at

the same time, to make best use of scaffolding.

The City of Wolverhampton Council is seeking a building contractor, with the skills and experience

of similar heritage style works, to undertake the works as set out in this Employers Requirements

document. Procurement Documents can be located on www.wolverhamptontenders.com