Durham University’s Courtyard Café is situated within the Palace Green Library. The café has created a new and exciting ‘coffee shop’ facility associated with the adjacent exhibition galleries, giving a vibrant social area for visitors and students to enjoy refreshments.
Designed by GSSArchitecture, the project forms part of a much larger phased programme of conservation and renovation works throughout the entire Palace Green Library building, to create a unique visitor experience.
Located at ground floor level, the listed buildings have many period qualities, such as exposed trusses, beams, cornices and skirtings. These historical features have been carefully retained to provide a contrast with modern additions to create the café. The Courtyard Café is designed as a contemporary space, including a structural glazed roof and a glass feature screen and door. A new Education Outreach Facility has also been created on the ground floor, providing educational services to people who might not otherwise have access to them.
