Inner Ring Two sharp ideas

It is a strange reality that libraries can’t be denominated as such any more. In Tower Hamlets, they have become a new invention called an ‘idea store’ . In contrast to the absurdity of the term, these two ‘stores; by David Adjaye confirm his status as a rising talent on the London scene. The first ‘store’, just north of the Isle of Dogs, was relatively small, but has all the ingredients one sees amplified and refined at Mile End. Both are sharp designs and the second store — set midst a strong Bangledeshi community — has real architectural substance. Note the two locations with the same number on the map.

Idea Store One (Chrisp Street):

Compared with the second (two storey) Store this one is a more tentative project — the idea is being tried out at a local, 1960’s market, above a row of shops (just north of the Isle of Dogs). The architect’s challenge was therefore to accommodate the new Store to the old structure. The outcome is a rather Post-Modern mix of grids — steel structure, timber beams, timber cladding primary structure, glazing bars, light fittings, etc. — that deliberately bear no relation to one another. The overall concept is an arrival hall with lots of computers and an escalator up to the first floor. The latter has seminar and meeting rooms down one side and the books stacked in mid-height plywood shelving that sinuously curve around to create interesting nooks and crannies. Everything is fairly simple, cheap ‘n’ cheerful, well considered and well detailed.

Idea Store Two (Mile End):

The second Idea Store — now much larger and five storeys — is a leap forward: its feels distinctly similar to the first in all respects, but there is an added confidence and refinement to the scheme and the detailing. It is full of references: Alsop at Peckham; Herzog & de Meron at the Tate and at the Laban, and all the more interesting because of that. The basic concept is that of the retail department store with particular — and considered — ways of relating to the street and its activities and flows. Inside, visitors move straight to any floor (a cafe is on the top) and can withdraw books at a variety of points around the building (there is no conventional desk, although a diminutive version is located on the ground floor).

The second Idea Store’s principal architectural moves include a street projection well beyond the building line (see diagram left). This wraps two sides of the building and serves as a shelter and canopy which houses the escalator drawing visitors up to the first and second floors — a simple and clever move that announces the library to those walking along the street, where one of London’s largest street markets is located on a daily basis. From the 2nd floor, visitors can continue up into the building so that every floor is well used; the cafe, for example is housed on the fourth floor. Originally, the escalator was to have gone all the way to the top by wrapping itself around the building — but the Council made budget savings! Nevertheless, the resulting void on the east side provides a dramatic three storey height relief to the sandwiched floors of the upper parts (top right. opposite).

The Idea Store at Chrisp Street (above) sits as part of the Lansbury Market and is actually on East India Dock Road (the DLR is across the road). Above: the entrance area, with escalator up to the main library (sorry, ideas) floor.

The later Store (below and right) is simply a much enlarged version, but feels to be a more refined work, despite the greater complexity (and just as much cost cutting by the local authority). If it has a problem it’s that the main roof sports incongruous exposed steel beams (shades of Mies) and plant rooms that appear to be distinct after-thoughts. In fact the rear massing is altogether untidy (a not unimportant consideration given that this fagade is almost as important as the street fagade).

The colouring of the cladding is argued to be prompted by the canvas covers to street stalls at both these locations. Whether this is a subtle point or an effete narrative prop effecting itself purely at an abstracted conceptual level distinct from the experiential reality is something you can only decide for yourself by visiting the building. Both the mannerism (of off-set grids and coloured glass) and the conceit (of narrative) are currently rather fashionable, but they certainly seem appropriate to this project.