Thing converts historic Cornish library into The Ladder arts space
UK architecture studio Thing has transformed a former library in Cornwall into an arts and cultural hub, contrasting its historic surfaces with timber elements informed by theatre stage sets.
Named The Ladder, the centre is housed within the Grade II-listed Passmore Edwards Library and College buildings in Redruth, originally opened in 1895 and funded by Cornish philanthropist John Passmore Edwards.
Following the relocation of the library to the nearby Alma Place, a local campaign was organised to prevent the historic structures from being turned into flats and to preserve its role as a community space.
Thing worked with local conservation architect Claire Newman to transform the buildings into a nursery and a series of flexible spaces for local performers and artists, defined by timber structures that sit alongside its retained, worn surfaces.
The hub was named The Ladder after a quote from Edwards reflecting his original philanthropic vision: "if I can fund the Ladder, the people will climb".
"Each room embodies its own distinct characteristic atmosphere, forming a diverse suite of spaces clearly rooted within one family," Thing told Dezeen.
"The historic character of the building has been foregrounded as a constant thread running through each space," Thing added. The approach to restoration carefully retains the stories told in the decay, wear and tear."
"Each intervention has a clear front and back; expressed ash studwork signifying the backstage, with more refined flush detailing to the fronts," it added.
Two separate entrances serve the artists' spaces and public areas, with a deep-set square window creating a visual link between the nursery in the former college and a multipurpose "front room" with a built-in stage and shelving in the former library.
Within the library's turret, a small "dream room" is lined with a datum of deep green-stained timber, which has also been used to create a stepped bench at the base of its windows.
An acoustic window allows this space to act as a recording studio for an adjacent performance area wrapped by curtains and recycled plastic panels, while opposite a co-working room is organised around a large blue desk.
"The studio is enclosed with two layers of curtains, one sheer and one blackout, enabling full control of lighting conditions: from light, to hazy to dark," said the studio.
"The wall of cabinets is both practical storage unit, and a glowing lightbox. The carefully selected milky translucency of the recycled plastic allows the wall to appear flat and solid, or glow in a multitude of colours when activated," it added.
For The Ladder's graphic identity, Thing worked with London-based graphic design studio Europa, creating a series of enamelled signs, patchwork curtains and a coloured door for the artists' entrance that nod to the historic building's forms and typefaces.
The project was delivered across phases over the course of three years to allow the client to test and adapt spaces in real time.
Once further funding is secured, future planned phases of The Ladder include the updating of the linking volume between the library and college buildings to create a glazed cafe.
Thing is an architecture and research studio founded in 2024 by Lucas Facer, Patrick Fryer and Thomas Randall-Page – the designer behind Cody Dock Rolling Bridge in London.
Other community arts spaces recently featured on Dezeen include the Horizon Youth Zone by John Puttick Associates, which converted a series of former warehouses in Grimsby into a mixture of sports, arts and performance spaces.
The photography is by Rory Gaylor.
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