Oldham Heritage and Arts Centre lies at the heart of Oldham’s developing Cultural Quarter and flanks the town’s central Conservation Area. The historic grade II-listed former library building will be transformed into a vibrant, multi-purpose, multi-disciplinary cultural facility housing the borough’s local studies, archives, museum, arts and heritage learning.
As a community hub and melting pot for curators, educators, professional artists, participants, and audiences, the centre stimulates interaction, generating excitement and vibrancy together with a sense of belonging and place. With its high quality design, the centre conserves the historical significance of the former library whilst retaining the building in public use.
The carpet is composed of loose threads, referencing Oldham’s history as the centre of the world’s cotton industry, which wind across the site to form planters, pathways and an amphitheatre. The former library will be renovated with care, preserving original fabric where at all possible.
Visitors will enter the centre via a new level entrance to the west, welcomed into an open bar/restaurant area where they can enjoy a coffee or a meal. Above this extends an atrium allowing views up to the historic glazed roof lights, which flood the space with light. The ornate former lecture theatre in the basement will be fully renovated and programmed to host a variety of events.