Since opening in September 2016, the new library has been an enormous success. These images were taken in March 2017 and show how the spaces are being used by students, with some layouts organically changing over the past two terms of use.
This is from the ground floor, originally called the High Demand Collection, this area is for short term use, visible group study, generally a noisier space with quick access computers. Curves were very important here to break the otherwise linear layout. The Bloid from Davison Highley, is the feature piece of furniture, all curves and hard-wearing finishes.
Areas of discovery, discreet spaces to work together and open spaces to invite others in or be seen, an important feature of student life.
‘Alone together’ – Social seating designed for students to work on their own with friends or not, good to see the laptop tables being used.
The ‘Alone together’ concept is also applied to the large tables and plectrum tables in the main study spaces.
This is the Library lounge, opposite the cafe, with a more classic suite of furniture and finishes. Note the key piece, oak table for students to sit at on stools ‘alone together’. [I think it could do with being larger]
Quiet spaces to simply read the newspaper, just as important as study spaces.
This view shows two large tables at different heights, helping the space not to feel crowded even when its busy. Working at 1m is a good alternative to standard desk height in that it invites a different dynamic to occur and can be good for taller students.
Adjacent to the Library lounge is this accessible study space that is open to all without the need to pass through the gates. A mixture of furniture pieces providing that much needed variety and enough space for different work methods.
Power. A must have feature of most seating and table layouts.
These two shots demonstrate the variety of furniture that we selected for the different ways that students prefer to work, as well as the open design providing access to daylight, space and interesting views of other areas on the floor.
Time out seating, for reflection, pondering, or 40 winks.
Part of the post graduate study space, with great high back arm chairs. See more detail here; https://learningenvironmentdesignblog.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=5140&action=edit
The following images are taken of the Media Room, a separate space specifically designed for music students, as well as those who want to edit video material or listen to audio in the high back chairs.
This table from Orangebox is sublime, called the Rock, its a three cornered piece that is beautifully made of oak, finished so that three people can work ‘alone together’. I saw this as perfect for the triangular corner of the building.
A seminar space for study skills with writeable walls, group study tables that are adaptable, with central power and data pod for laptop work. These Orangebox chairs are very comfortable for long periods of work, with a breathable back mesh and castors for movement.
This image above is from my tour of the library with Stephen Ashton, looking at the top floor training/presentation room that occupied much of our planning.
Its’ genesis was a didactic style seminar room but after careful consideration and much stakeholder discussion, evolved into an active based learning room with ‘Kite’ tables from Ocee Design.