Knutsford Library

KNUTSFORD

SJ7478 BROOK STREET 792-1/3/116 (West side) 12/02/99 Knutsford Library

II

Public Library. 1904, extended late C20, together with minor alterations. By Alfred Darbyshire, architect, of Manchester, with funding from the Carnegie Trust. Red brick, laid to English garden wall bond, with buff terracotta dresings and detailing. Welsh slate roof covering, that to the principal range with a shallow mid-span clerestory light to each pitch. PLAN: irregular L-plan complex, comprised of 2 main ranges, with entrance bay infilling the space between. FRONT ELEVATION: tall wide gable to left with wide oriel window carried on low, wide advanced pier incorporating 2 small single light windows. 4-light mullioned and transomed oriel rising from moulded terracotta base and with joggled flat lintel bearing the inscription 'PUBLIC FREE LIBRARY'. Wide terracotta bands at oriel base and window transom levels extend full width of gable, which carries decorative copings and elaborate apex panel with niche and ball finial. To the right, low flat roofed entrance range with wide 4-centred arched doorway below elaborately decorated doorhead incorporating corbelled flanking shafts, ball finials and a central panel with enrichments and the date 1904. Each side of the doorway are 3 single light windows set on a continuous cill mould, and with a lintel band made up of the linked joggled heads to the openings. Further right, and set back, a single bay with pyramidal roof. INTERIOR: principal range serves as adult library, formed of single space open to the roof. Bay roof structure comprised of double purlins supported by 2 arch-braced hammer beam roof trusses with diminutive king posts at collar level, and metal tie rods linking the hammer beams. Lower rear range forming children's library is ceiled, with wide cornice band and 2-light mullioned and transomed windows.

Listing NGR: SJ7545678426