Building Name

Bromley Public Library (Architectural Competition)

Date
1904
District/Town
Bromley
County/Country
Kent, England
Work
Architectural competition

Entry No. 5 (by Messrs. Potts, Son, and Hennings) proposes a two-storied Classic building, with coupled Ionic columns to the first floor, and pedimental wings shaded in Indian ink, well‑proportioned. We take exception to the two isolated figures on the pedestals of balustrade over the entrance, which look meaningless. The plan has a centre lobby entrance into hall, with staff counter in front, a lending library, 59ft. 6in. by 39ft 6in., in rear. There is a small corner room for librarian, with two glazed screen sides in left corner, and a reading and magazine‑room in continuation, 32ft. long northwards. The reference‑room is to left of entrance‑hall, and a committee room at north end of front, and the staircase to lecture‑room is at the end of hall. The lecture‑room and retiring‑room are placed over the front, lighted on both sides. Room for extension is shown in the rear and at north end of building. The plan is compact, and piers for carrying the walls of lecture‑room are shown.

Reference           Building News 30 Sept 1904 pp458-459