The Grove Public Library Part 1 Project 2025 Jake Banks University of Leeds Leeds | UK This project describes the design, development and technical resolution of a new public library on Dock Street, Leeds. The Grove is a wellness-focussed library, connecting users and pedestrians to nature and providing a retreat from the industrial environment. Through forward-thinking sustainable design, accompanied by respect for the area’s heritage, the proposal seeks to create a lasting civic presence that fosters mental wellbeing and environmental awareness. The concept of the library stems from the idea of two distinct curves which shape the building’s massing around the sides of the site, enclosing a generous outdoor space between the water and the library which becomes the heart of the project. The North and South sides of the building use contrasting materials to reflect the original concept. The South-facing façade, which represents the more formal curve, addresses the solid industrial character of the surroundings using reclaimed red brick, without openings but with a layer of glazing at the ground level. In contrast, the North-facing façade uses a much more expressive system than the minimalist South side. Vertical timber fins curve and bend to create the effect of a permeable flowing surface, which is mounted 1.5m away from the fully glazed building envelope. This creates a soft, layered threshold between the interior and exterior, filtering daylight, providing shading, and creating a strong visual and sensory connection to the adjacent outdoor space. Inside the building envelope, a glulam frame is used as the structure for the building. The material’s visible grain, warmth and organic texture contributes to a sensory environment that promotes psychological wellbeing. Tutor(s)