Connecting an Industrial Past with a Digital Future
Industrial Memory, Digital Futures celebrates Salford’s industrial history while imagining what libraries and archives could become in an evolving digital world. The project responds to the Salford Crescent development framework, which will transform the area over the coming decades but may also risk overshadowing the heritage of the Crescent Conservation Area.
Salford’s working-class communities played a vital role in shaping the city. This proposal aims to acknowledge that history while creating a more accessible, engaging, and future-focused visitor experience.
The existing Working Class Movement Library is currently limited by poor accessibility, lack of space, basement archive storage, and internal moisture issues. These challenges make the building difficult to use as a library, archive, and exhibition space. The scheme responds by bringing the collections out of the inaccessible basement and turning the building’s existing heritage features into part of the exhibition experience.
Key historic elements are preserved and framed by raised circulation routes, encouraging visitors to encounter the building’s heritage in a new way rather than ignore or replace it. The extension acts as a digital expansion of the archive, carefully connecting to the existing WCML through its windows.
Industrial references strengthen the design narrative, including a Corten steel façade, pulley wheel lifts, chimney-inspired handrails, and large-scale railway-style bookshelves. Inside, large screens, automated shelving, and a digital archive create an immersive and accessible learning environment.
Continuous raised walkways generate movement and energy throughout the building. Outside, a kinetic façade transforms unused external space into a flexible pop-up events area for the local community. Together, the proposal connects Salford’s industrial past with a digital future for libraries, archives, and civic culture.
Connect with Luke
Email: Lukecrannage@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-crannage-980a4529b/