Duncan Place library and community hub

by EDable Architecture

Client Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council

Award RIBA Yorkshire Award 2025

The award winner tells us, "Duncan Place is a new and improved community centre that brings together an existing youth and community facility, family hub, and library under one roof to create a cultural and community destination for Loftus, North Yorkshire. Working carefully with the existing fabric, and extending only where necessary, the project brings new civic life to a historic building.

The work comprised internal alterations and two distinct extensions; each designed with its own character to reflect its differing brief and context. Both were closely designed with the centre’s users, including the existing youth group.

Designed as a meeting place that feels welcoming to all, the form takes inspiration from the existing building, while the interior strategy makes a playful connection to the park. The library extension acts as a beacon and reconnects the neighbouring park to the high street, providing a new accessible front and linking the library to an outdoor event space."

The jury says, "By regenerating an existing Victorian building, as well as improving connectivity to a neighbouring park and high street, the project delivers a much-improved civic focus to an unloved and underused part of the town."

Read the full citation from the RIBA Awards Jury on RIBA Journal

Contractor WB Construction

Structural engineer Billinghurst George and Partners

Project management Identity Consult

Environmental/M&E engineer JH Partners Mechanical and Electrical Consultant Engineers

Gross internal area 562m²