Marx Memorial Library (Retrofit Page)
Marx Memorial Library
Our plans will help this remarkable organisation showcase its fascinating and wide-ranging collection of Marxist and wider socialist works, including a unique selection of ceramics from the Spanish Civil War, and support its community outreach work. Using archive plans from Russian émigré architects, our team’s research uncovered hidden secrets of this much-altered building and worked closely with the Library’s Director to work out how their future vision could be achieved within the constraints of their Grade II listed building on Clerkenwell Green.
Our thorough preparation of plans at RIBA Stage 1 has helped the Library to compile a compelling application for the National Lottery Heritage Fund Development Grant. With a detailed analysis of storage requirements for both current collections and acquisitions, we took the Stage 1 plans to a higher level of detail than normal to explain and justify the scale of expansion required. Using a specially developed method for visualising storage requirements, we also facilitated the discussion and agreement for the plans amongst Trustees.
With sensitive planning, we worked with the historic grain of the building to accommodate fabric upgrades that will reduce the running costs for the Library.
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Project Information
Marx Memorial Library
Value: £4.8 million
Client: Marx Memorial Library and Workers’ School
Programme: Development Grant Application 2025
Architect's Role: RIBA Stage 1 with assistance for Development Grant Application
Adjacency Conceptual Diagram