Weston Library in Oxford

Between 1937 and 1940, architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott oversaw the construction of the building that would later become the Weston Library. Scott designed the structure with significant underground space to store millions of books while maintaining a scale that blended with surrounding buildings.

The original building, constructed using Bladon stone with Clipsham dressings, was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. The neo-Jacobean aesthetic was intended to be polite to the surrounding architectural context, though it has historically received mixed critical reviews.

In the early 21st century, the library underwent a major internal rebuilding project designed by WilkinsonEyre. This project aimed to modernize facilities for readers and visitors while providing better storage for rare and fragile collections, all while preserving the original facade.

Following an 80 million pound renovation, the library officially reopened to readers on 21 March 2015. The opening ceremony featured the awarding of the Bodley Medal to Professor Stephen Hawking and Sir David Attenborough.

In July 2016, the transformed building was shortlisted for the Stirling Prize, a prestigious award for excellence in architecture, recognizing the successful modernization of the space.

The library building is officially recognized as a Grade II listed building in Oxford, providing it with protected status due to its historical and architectural value.