The Mappa Mundi and Chained Library building is the first new building at Hereford Cathedral for over one hundred years. It is a fascinating blend of the use of traditional building materials and techniques, with the modern technological requirements laid down for the storage and display of historic manuscripts.

The outer skin of the building is of ashlar blocks of Dukes Sandstone with Watts Cliff Stone dressings and window surrounds. The roof is covered with random width, diminishing coursed, Westmorland slate.

The ceilings on the upper floor and in the Mappa Mundi Chamber itself are underdrawn with cedar panels framed in oak.The walls of the first floor are lined with oak bookcases, whereas the Chained Library has been plastered using traditional hydraulic lime plaster, with oak panelling fitted between the book presses.

The whole building has a very high level of climatic control, security and fire protection, all of which was installed very discreetly in order not to spoil the overall effect. All the timber work, including the doors, the screen leading into the Mappa Mundi Chamber and the bookcases, was purpose-made in our joinery shop in Ludlow, as were the new reading tables, designed by the architect specifically for the Lending Library.