A new library and education centre, the Brunel Institute has opened in Bristol.

The building is named after 19th century engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and is next to his famous SS Great Britain.

Designed by local practice Alec French Architects, the centre is partly housed in the ground floor of the rebuilt Brunel’s Steamship Engine Works and includes the two-storey library built in oak and larch.

A lecture theatre will hold 120 people while an archive facility will contain around 45,000 items including objects such as Brunel’s drawing instruments, diaries and sketch books. The archive store is linked to the visitor reception by a curved glazed corridor.