Adaptive Re-Use; Defying the Ordinary
Adaptive Reuse: Defying the Ordinary reimagines the Working Class Movement Library in Salford as a contemporary civic destination that preserves heritage while creating new opportunities for future generations. The project responds to the growing disconnect between historic institutions and the communities they were originally built to serve.
The proposal transforms the Grade II listed library into an inclusive cultural hub that celebrates working-class identity through learning, creativity, and community interaction. A bold contemporary extension is introduced alongside the historic brick building, creating a clear but respectful dialogue between old and new.
Inspired by movement, expression, and collective gathering, the extension wraps around the existing structure and helps activate the site for a wider public audience. The programme includes a digital archive preserving stories of protest and activism, a public plaza for social interaction, and a ghost kitchen hub supporting emerging food entrepreneurs. Together, these spaces reconnect people with the library while attracting new visitors into Salford.
Adaptive reuse is central to the design approach. Existing brick walls removed from the site are repurposed by crushing reclaimed brick into powder and incorporating it into the façade of the new extension. This transforms demolished material into a new architectural language, connecting the building’s past with its future.
The project aims to preserve the cultural memory of the Working Class Movement Library while creating a future-focused civic space rooted in heritage, opportunity, and identity. Through adaptive reuse, the scheme encourages participation, inclusivity, and long-term community growth.
