Revitalizing Jewish Heritage: Square Feet Architects' Stunning Reading Room for Leo Baeck College

Square Feet Architects has completed a remarkable new public reading room for Leo Baeck College at the Sternberg Centre for Judaism in Finchley, London. This £500,000 project has transformed a former convent and heritage prayer spaces into an accessible library, providing a unique platform for research, dialogue, and community interaction. The reading room is now home to over 60,000 volumes of the Anglo-Jewish collection, spanning more than 500 years of Jewish life, thought, and culture.

The project involved relocating one of Europe's most significant Anglo-Jewish collections from basement storage into a purpose-designed, ground-floor reading room. This move has not only improved accessibility but also created a vibrant academic resource and cultural hub. The new reading room is open to students, scholars, and the wider public, fostering a sense of community and promoting the exploration of Jewish heritage.

The architectural approach was deliberately restrained, with a focus on preserving the historic character of the building. The design removed a poorly scaled partition between the two principal spaces, replacing it with sliding pocket doors concealed within bespoke bookcases. This allows the reading room to expand seamlessly when required, supporting lectures, exhibitions, and community events. The internal spaces have been carefully curated, with library shelving, lighting, and acoustic treatments introduced to preserve the hall's volume and character.

The former billiard room has been restored and integrated as a flexible events space, with timber panelling repaired and extended, and original oak flooring refinished and reinstated where necessary. The library itself is a treasure trove of Jewish history and culture, with volumes ranging from early Hebrew commentaries to present-day scholarship. The relocation of approximately 20,000 volumes into open access within the reading room has created a unique opportunity for scholars and the public to engage with these extraordinary collections.

The project has also incorporated various improvements, including upgraded building services, improved lighting and acoustics, and enhanced accessibility and circulation. A dedicated entrance to the library from the front forecourt has been created, providing a clear and welcoming point of entry for visitors. According to Daniel Leon, director of Square Feet Architects, the approach was to 'reveal what was already there – to strip away the clutter and allow the historic spaces to work together.'

This project marks a significant moment for Leo Baeck College, which has been at the forefront of Jewish education and scholarship for over 60 years. The new reading room is a testament to the college's commitment to preserving and promoting Jewish heritage, and its dedication to creating a vibrant and inclusive community. As the college itself notes, 'our library is central to everything we do, and this new space allows us to share it more openly, supporting our students while inviting wider audiences to engage with these extraordinary collections.'

The completion of the reading room is a milestone in the college's history, and a celebration of the power of architecture to revitalize and reimagine historic spaces. Square Feet Architects' thoughtful and nuanced design has created a unique and inspiring environment, one that will undoubtedly become a hub of academic and cultural activity in the years to come.