# Historic library reborn as a layered arts hub

**URL:** <https://forum.kirupa.com/t/historic-library-reborn-as-a-layered-arts-hub/680771>\
**Category:** design\
**Created:** [April 22, 2026, 7:00pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/historic-library-reborn-as-a-layered-arts-hub/680771 "2026-04-22T19:00:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![WaffleFries](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/wafflefries/32/31185_2.png) [@WaffleFries](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/WaffleFries)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2026, 7:00pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/historic-library-reborn-as-a-layered-arts-hub/680771/1 "2026-04-22T19:00:22Z")

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UK studio Thing turned a Grade II-listed former library in Redruth into The Ladder, an arts space that keeps the old historic fabric in play while adding timber pieces inspired by theatre sets.

> **[Thing converts historic Cornish library into community arts space](https://www.dezeen.com/2026/04/22/thing-ladder-library-conversion/)**
>
> Thing has transformed a former library in Cornwall into The Ladder arts hub, contrasting its historic surfaces with timber elements.

Here’s the main image from the piece, and it’s a pretty clean look at how they handled the old library shell.

 ![thing-library-conversion-community-arts-space-uk-sqdezeen2364col2-411x411](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/b/f/bf64333a312c23eb2b0beb318983e656e81601f8.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![Ellen1979](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/ellen1979/32/31260_2.png) [@Ellen1979](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Ellen1979)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2026, 8:28pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/historic-library-reborn-as-a-layered-arts-hub/680771/2 "2026-04-22T20:28:24Z")

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Yeah

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**Author:** ![BobaMilk](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/bobamilk/32/31157_2.png) [@BobaMilk](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/BobaMilk)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2026, 1:14am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/historic-library-reborn-as-a-layered-arts-hub/680771/3 "2026-04-23T01:14:32Z")

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Same, i love when they keep the old bones and just layer new uses on top. it feels respectful without turning the building into a museum.