Exeter College’s Jackson Library shortlisted for the Architects’ Journal Architecture Awards 2024

Following major restoration and improvement work throughout the 2022/23 academic year, we are delighted that Exeter College’s Jackson Library has been shortlisted for this year’s Architects’ Journal (AJ) Architecture Awards.  

The AJ Architecture Awards return for the seventh year, highlighting the UK’s best architectural projects across 16 categories, from housing, health, and wellbeing to workplace and cultural projects. Exeter College’s Library is shortlisted for Higher Education project of the year. 

Originally constructed in 1857, the Library has had its original Victorian Gothic features restored and been made fully accessible, with a lift that services all floors, step-free entrance, and a wheelchair accessible toilet. The Library’s striking architecture has been preserved and restored, revealing original features, some of which had been hidden for decades. The stonework, woodwork and oak bookcases have been restored, and where there is new woodwork, such as in the new mezzanine floor in the Library annexe, outstanding craftsmanship has ensured that it is of the highest quality throughout and sympathetic to Gilbert Scott’s vision. Lighting, ventilation, heating and electrics have all been significantly upgraded as well, while maintaining the Library’s much-loved appearance and character.  

The transformation of the Library has proved enormously popular with students, and was made possible thanks to the generosity of alumni and supporters of Exeter College. Together they gave over £8 million to the project, hitting the ambitious fundraising target and creating an exceptional study space for generations of students to come. The Library is now named the Jackson Library, honouring the father of principal donor William Jackson (1983, Geography). 

The AJ Architecture Awards ceremony will take place in early December. It is the third major award the Library has been shortlisted for, with two nominations at this year’s British Construction Industry Awards.  

You can read more about the transformed Library and see pictures in the noted architectural publications The RIBA Journal, The Architects Journal,  Architecture Today, and Dezeen.