Shrewsbury School, Moser Library, Shrewsbury

This was an unusual school project. The client required an extensive refurbishment of its 100-year-old school library to create a modern, independent learning environment while preserving the heritage of the original space and its vast and varied collection of books.

Before we started work, subcontractors Britannia Movers PLC moved 30,000 books and archive material.

The project then included both general building work and bespoke joinery, crafted by our in-house team based at Bicton, Shropshire.

We made and fitted new bookcases for over 30,000 books and made desks and work spaces to accommodate different styles of study. We built a raised mezzanine classroom with a sliding archive store below and made new doors and windows.

The project was the first to utilise the new spray booth at Morris Joinery’s Bicton workshop, transforming the library back to its former glory using Prime Grade European Oak with a clear lacquered finish, which has a hard-wearing and high-quality, long-lasting finish.

A new central heating system was also fitted, as well as high tech LED task lighting and sockets integrated into the furniture.

Priceless collection

Adjacent to the library is the Moser Gallery which displays a variety of historic artefacts – from First Edition copies of Darwin’s ‘On the Origin of the Species’ to 19th Century watercolours left to the Library by Edward Moser, who gave the building its noteworthy name.  Specially designed storage, which protects books and paintings from light and theft, has made the gallery accessible and provides additional, inspirational study space for students.