The striking new 'zig-zag' library that will tower over Mancunian Way

A striking new library could soon form the centrepiece of Manchester Met Uni — which will ‘reimagine what a university library can offer’, bosses say.

New plans unveiled on Thursday (November 2) show a concept for a library building which is made up of a central glass box, which a zig-zag shape wraps around. It will be built on the current library site, which is next to All Saints Park on Oxford Road, and also be visible from Mancunian Way.

The goal is to create a ‘landmark development’, according to the University (MMU), that will be a ‘library fit for the 21st century’. The building will feature digitally enabled teaching and research facilities, gallery and event spaces, and provide a home for the Manchester Poetry Library — the north west’s first public poetry library.

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“As an ambitious University, we are committed to providing a truly modern campus here in the city centre for our students, colleagues and the community,” said Professor Karen Moore, MMU’s chief operating officer, on announcing the plans.

“The library plans demonstrate our continued commitment to invest in impactful research and outstanding education, adding to the exceptional facilities and extensive redevelopment that has taken place across our campus over recent years. The new library will reimagine what a university library can offer and will build on Manchester Metropolitan University’s rich 200-year history of education and research.”

It has been designed by two architects — Hawkins\Brown and Schmidt Hammer Lassen. Christopher Seviour, a partner at the former, said the