A LIBRARY in the shape of an inverted pyramid is to be built in Docklands.

The £14million structure, which will form part of a new town centre, will partly overhang the Canada Water basin.

A dominant feature of the four-storey, 3,165 square metre building is an atrium, with a timber-lined central spiral staircase travelling up to the expanding shape above.

The library is intended to be as green as possible with a ground source heat pump, facilities to collect waste water for gardening and a grass roof.

It will sit at the edge of a new civic plaza which has been designed to provide space for a farmers' market, large TV screenings, festivals and other events and activities.

As part of the project one of the existing exits from Canada Water station will be incorporated into the new building, creating a major new thoroughfare.

Designed by Piers Gough, partner at CZWG Architects, the project is due to start in the summer, with completion scheduled for early 2011.

There are also plans for 900 new homes and new retail and public space.

Paul Noblet, Southwark's executive member for regeneration, said: "The Canada Water development will see the area's population grow, and residents, new and old, need a new library with a huge collection, study space, homework clubs, reading groups, story sessions for very young children, author appearances and continuous promotions and events.

"Even more exciting is that this fantastic library will be at the heart of a buzzing town centre with a range of community facilities for 21st century living. Residents will easily find a range of council and community services, delivered via a building that reflects Southwark's commitment to providing essential public buildings without sacrificing exciting and innovative design."

The ground floor of the building will have a café, exhibition space and auditorium opening onto the new Deal Porters Plaza.

A mezzanine level will provide office and staff areas, with the second floor housing the main library. The upper floor is designed to provide a gallery area overlooking the main library and will incorporate a range of learning facilities and meeting rooms.

All the areas have fabulous views south over Canada Water Basin, an important ecological lake on the side of an old dock and the new Plaza On The North.

David Taylor, chairman of British Land Canada Quays which is partly in charge of developing the area, said: "Commencement of the library will be a massive milestone in terms of delivering the Canada Water masterplan."

Mr Taylor added: "BL Canada Quays promised the local community a high quality mixed-use scheme which would benefit both existing and new residents. The library is a major building block in terms of achieving that objective."

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