Hudson Architects turns former nightclub into King's Lynn Library

UK studio Hudson Architects has completed the transformation of a disused commercial building in King's Lynn, Norfolk, into a new public library. The project, named King's Lynn Library, repurposed the neglected structure of a former nightclub, car park, and retail store, which had been underused due to its peripheral location. The architects reduced the scale of the existing concrete structure to better match neighboring buildings and created an expanded public street at the entrance. A central skylit atrium was carved out, and the southern corner was cut to provide a glazed frontage addressing the street. The interior retains exposed concrete, softened by a zigzagging timber stair and panelled walls, while the exterior is clad in cement shingles with a pale palette echoing nearby structures. The ground floor houses a children's library with a castle theme, referencing the medieval town centre, while the first floor offers open reading areas and staff spaces, and the second floor contains educational rooms including a training kitchen. Studio director Louise Boddy emphasized the importance of retaining as much of the original building as possible, noting that its history reveals itself slowly. The project is part of Hudson Architects' portfolio, which includes a low-carbon cob home in Norfolk. Photography is by Fred Howarth.