London libraries #8: South Norwood, SE25

Known locally as the ‘Brutalist library’, it was designed in 1968 by Hugh Lea, replacing the previous Victorian library which had been there before.

Many buildings pointlessly get replaced every generation, libraries seemingly more often than others. Birmingham’s Victorian library got replaced in 1974 by a Brutalist beast, only for that to be demolished to make way for The Library of Birmingham in 2013.

As architectural historian Oliver Elser said, “In our experience, when these buildings are demolished, whatever replaces them is never an improvement.” 

Unlike much Brutalist architecture, the South Norwood library is much loved by locals and, though faced with demolition in 2019 and again in 2021, it currently still remains open.

Previously on Barnflakes
Top 13 Brutalist buildings (that I’ve visited)