This three-storey library and digital media centre is the first phase of South Shields 365 – an economic vision to bring new life into the community with a £100m investment in the town.
Appropriately named The Word, the multi-award winning building provides state-of-the-art facilities with an interactive exhibition space offering a home for the North East’s writing talent and a community hub for the people of South Tyneside.
Visitors can access the library, performance areas, meeting rooms and various workshops and interactive learning events taking place.
The Word boasts an impressive range of facilities including digital displays, 360° screens, exhibition space, computer gaming areas, design and innovation studios with 3D printers, digital archives, a children’s immersive storytelling area, IT suites, video and radio recording studios, an Open Zone for interactive learning for up to 60 children at any time, a cafe and a meeting/conference area on the fourth floor leading to an outside roof terrace offering stunning views over the River Tyne.
High specification bespoke joinery features throughout the building including a curved feature staircase spiralling through the main atrium space in the centre of the building.
The main structural frame of the building is high quality exposed in-situ concrete with exposed circular columns and slab soffits. There are structural steelwork elements to the main entrance facade to support glazed walling systems.
The existing Market Place was fully refurbished as part of the contract with all surfacing removed and replaced with high quality stone, granite and concrete paving. Structural steel canopies with roof and soffit cladding, were erected to the northern section of the market. Street lighting systems were added to bring vitality to the area and new CCTV and traffic control rise and fall automated bollards were erected and entrances and exits to the Market Place.
Awards won by The Word:
LABC Building Excellence Awards 2017
Project of the Year
RICS North East Awards 2017
Design Through Innovation Award
RICS North East Awards 2017
Community Benefit Award
RICS North East Awards 2017
Tourism & Leisure Award
LABC Northern Awards 2017
Best Public Service Building
Mixology North Awards 2016
Public Sector Interiors Project of the Year
Living North Awards 2016
Best Regeneration or Restoration Project
Best Public Service Building
SPACES Awards 2017
Civic Building of the Year
SPACES Awards 2017
Community Award
RICS Awards Grand Final 2017
Community Benefit Award
BCI Awards 2017
Social Infrastructure Project of the Year
ISE Yorkshire Structural Awards
Medium Structure by Large Company
RTPI North East Awards for Planning Excellence 2017
Award for Planning Excellence
CIAT AT Awards 2017
Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology
RIBA National Awards 2017 – RIBA
National Award
Constructing Excellence
North East Awards 2017 – Value Award
RIBA North East Awards 2017
Building of the Year
RIBA North East Awards 2017
RIBA Regional Award
