About The Project

The Newnham College Rare Books Library was the first vHH building to capture the attention of the media. James Stirling featured it in a BBC television series in 1990, describing its ‘incredible presence, which to me is the definition of monumental.’  It houses the College's collection of rare books, manuscripts, pictures and artefacts. It provides about 500 metres of shelf space, allowing for expansion. Ventilation and humidity levels are suitable for old books and are achieved by careful design without air conditioning. For reasons of security from fire and theft the Rare Books Library is housed in a separate building, linked to the Grade II* listed main library.