Middlesbrough Library

Areas Lit

This project involved a complete internal refurbishment of a listed library building. Every area was relit, including the ornate reference library, the children’s library, office spaces, and meeting rooms. Of particular importance was the reference library — a two-level mahogany-clad space with an arched roof and historic detailing — and the children’s library, which needed a blend of practicality and visual flair. Every design decision had to be sympathetic to the building’s heritage status while delivering the energy performance and flexibility of a modern lighting system.

Brief

The library’s previous lighting was outdated, primarily fluorescent, and no longer fit for purpose. The main objective was to upgrade the system to a more energy-efficient, low-maintenance solution – but within the confines of a heritage building. The fittings had to complement the existing architecture while also meeting modern lighting standards. In the reference library, we were restricted to using the original pendant locations and had no pre-existing controls – the original system was simple mains dim. Given the wiring challenges of providing a full DALI system, Casambi wireless controls were selected for flexibility and ease of installation.

Challenges

The reference library posed the biggest challenge: the upper mezzanine areas weren’t receiving enough light from the central pendants. To solve this, we introduced a brand-new lighting layer with miniature Exenia Revo spotlights mounted on bespoke brackets, subtly fixed atop the bookcases, to ensure no impact to the listed building. These adjustable stalk-mounted fittings now highlight the bookcases and provide uplighting toward the ceiling – a solution that didn’t previously exist in the space. Finding the right product to deliver this discreet, dual-function lighting took extensive design consideration.

Products

A wide range of Exenia products were used to tailor the lighting to each unique space. In the children’s library, we installed Exenia Hula fittings (in various sizes), which deliver soft, attractive lighting that has been highly praised since completion. In the reference library, the Exenia Naboo system with integrated spots ensured both form and function — we used three 3m versions with 4 x 2 integrated spots each to maintain lux levels over the desks. We also used Museo Revo mini spotlights in combinations of two and three heads to highlight bookshelves and ceilings. Column-mounted wall lights were Exenia Space units. All luminaires were finished in white to suit the clean, classic interior.

Any particular colours/finishes used because of the project

All lighting was specified in white to complement the internal finishes and ensure subtle integration with the library’s historic features.

Benefits

The benefits are clearly visual and functional – vastly improved light levels, greater scene control via Casambi, and reduced long-term maintenance. The lighting blends modern technology with heritage sensitivity.

Obstacles

Product lead times (some as long as 16 weeks) posed a potential risk to the delivery timeline. By using our Project Operations service, we scheduled phased deliveries aligned to client needs and secured stock ahead of time. This ensured installation could proceed smoothly and without delay.

Timescale

Design work began in June 2023, with detailed planning taking place through the remainder of the year. Installation started on site in July 2024 and was completed in January 2025.

Budget

Although some value engineering (VE) was required mid-project, we managed this by increasing the outputs of certain luminaires and reducing their overall number — ensuring the visual quality and aesthetic feel of the design was never compromised.