Swiss Cottage Library, Grade II listed public library in Swiss Cottage, London, England.
Swiss Cottage Library is a public library on Avenue Road in the Swiss Cottage area of the London Borough of Camden, spread across three floors. The building is Grade II listed and stands out for its facade of vertical concrete fins, which filter daylight into the interior.
The library opened in 1964 to replace an earlier branch on Finchley Road that had been damaged during World War II. It was designed by the architect Basil Spence, who was known at the time for a number of public buildings across Britain.
The name Swiss Cottage comes from a pub built in the style of a Swiss chalet that once stood nearby in the 19th century. The library today draws a wide mix of people, from students doing homework to older residents attending reading groups.
The library is a short walk from Swiss Cottage underground station, which makes it easy to reach from most parts of London. Parking for visitors with reduced mobility is available on site, and all three floors are accessible.
Inside the building, a central atrium with a spiral staircase connects all three floors and gives visitors an open view through the full height of the interior. This staircase was part of Basil Spence's original design and has remained unchanged since the building opened.
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