Flexible learning commons for University of Northampton

The new Learning Commons space at the University of Northampton is a hub of social learning and social relaxing. A multi function space that redefines the traditional top down approach to learning and gives students a new media environment ready to be accessed via multiple docking points for laptops, plasmas, iPods, iPads and mobiles. Steve Beasant, Demco library design consultant, worked with the library team and Gaily Redmond, Environment Supervisor at the University to create a flexible, informal space for students to participate, share and create information.

With no shelving or core library products in place, the project is a good example of the ability to design and develop spaces that are fluid and flexible and miles away from any traditional library design template.

Gail Redmond said: “Our aim was to adopt a Learning Commons approach, more as an ideology rather than just to give a name to the space. Students today are used to being connected, so our take on the space was that students should view it as ‘my space’ and move away from ‘know and memorise’ to share, find, sort and create information. “

Maximum flexibility comes with Demco’s flexible study furniture, in this case in citrus colours, that can be linked and reconfigured by students to create the learning or social spaces they need at any one time. Groups can work together watching or giving presentations on plasma screens, and with numerous docking outlets located on tables throughout the area students can set up, put down, link up and switch off when they like.

Visitors enter through the main foyer into an informal meeting area and events space, where a combination of leather-look high backed seating forms a protective curve to define the area. Mixed with informal tables and chairs and laptop high benching and tables, with pull out extension outlets, this is a multi use space with a constant flow of students. Versatile, flexible and welcoming the area is busy yet relaxed and informal with students choosing to use the space as they wish. The seating can be moved back towards the wall while still retaining its curve for the area to be used for events, open days and displays.

Steve Beasant adds: “One of the challenges for this area was that the main entrance opens directly into the space bringing with it a flow of cold air, particularly at busy times when students are almost constantly in and out. We designed the leather look high backed seating as a barrier so that students are not sitting in a draft and we continued the high back theme in another breakout area where the high backs are configured to give student some privacy before waiting to go in and out of classes.

Social learning continues in the cafe area when students can sit on the high level benching and small bistro style tables with built in pull out extension sockets. Traditional style cafe tables and chairs complete this multi use space.

The Main areas are bright open spaces designed and furnished to be adaptable, accessible and appealing catering for multiple group sizes. There is one small staff touchdown point otherwise staff are roving and easily accessible to students. The area is democratic and egalitarian and at a glance it is difficult to define staff from students which adds to the learning commons ideology.

Gail Redmond added: “We have worked with Demco before and their attitude towards flexible designs ticked all the boxes for this project. Everyone loves the new space.”

Posted 01 Dec 2011

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£3 million upgrade for Blackpool Central Library

Bisset Adams have completed a £3 million refurbishment and extension of Grade II listed Blackpool Central Library, which reopened in October 2011 to mark its centenary. Bold architectural interventions including new entrances and ‘floating’ walkways have transformed the way the Carnegie building can be used, with listed building consent achieved within eight weeks. The designs reflect Blackpool’s unique heritage of theatricality, holiday-making and imagination: a ‘transport of delight’. Bisset Adams were further commissioned to extend the external landscaping scheme to incorporate the Grundy Art Gallery, part of the original scheme in 1911.

The opening of Blackpool Central Library has proven timely, occurring amidst a backdrop of library closures throughout the country. The Council has shown that investing in library services has proven popular with the local community; Anne Ellis, head of libraries commented ‘We’ve only been open a few weeks, but visitor numbers area already up’.

Partially funded by the Big Lottery, the project involved extensive consultation and design workshops with both staff and local communities to redesign a key cultural venue in the town, with library, local history, arts and learning services.

A key member of the team from the tender stage was project Artist Nick Robertson, who in consultation with community and staff members created a magnificent set of eight stained glass windows reflecting key themes such as Illumination, Aspiration and Curiosity, to complement the original stained glass of the building. These have been welcomed as an important cultural legacy for the next one hundred years.

Increasing accessibility and usage was a key theme, and the design involved creating a new entrance within the listed façade, opening onto a landscaped area adjacent to the street, allowing a new library café and informal lounge to spill out onto the terrace.

The main entrance was made more accessible with a new ramp achieved by removing an existing lift and relocating it to a new extension to the rear. The original competition drawings of 1911 showed an area designated for ‘possible future extension’ completing the symmetry of the building, and this was used for the new extension which houses lift core, toilets and staff workspace.

New external glazed walkways at first floor level to the rear created a simple and direct circulation system for the building, restoring the integrity of the grand reading and local history rooms to the first floor, which previously doubled as corridors. The library’s Critchelow Collection of entertainment posters formed the basis of the colour palette and graphics throughout the library.

The new concept generated flexible spaces that can be used for presentations, educational groups, study, events, historical research and group learning.

The library achieves both a restoration of a magnificent building, brought to life with modern, flexible interior spaces, lighting, and bespoke furniture as an inspiring and contemporary library, arts and learning centre. A representative of the Big Lottery was quoted by the Council Leader as saying ‘This is the best example of a refurbished Carnegie library I’ve ever seen’.

Posted 18 Nov 2011

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Green Library in a simple box

Taipei Library Engineering consultant Hu Shiang-Ling has designed the Solar Library and Energy-Optimized House (Solar Leo House), as a branch of the Taipei City Library.

It is being touted as Taiwan's first "solar house," an increasingly popular form of architecture in Germany that puts a priority on green credentials through the use of renewable energies and energy-saving features.

The building itself is a nearly airtight box covered in solar panels and stands out amid the older buildings of Youth Park that surround it. At present, the solar panels have an installed capacity of 3.6 kWp, but more will be added over time to reach a capacity of 60 kWp. It is estimated that the building will contribute to the power grid up to 90 percent of the amount of electricity it consumes.

The new library building has one major focus - how to use energy in the most efficient way to keep the building's interior at a comfortable 18-25 degrees Celsius, despite the sweltering heat outside.

Thick wood-based insulation material, which has the lowest thermal conductivity of any insulator, keeps the heat out even during the hottest months and hermetic wooden window frames are used. Double-layer low emission glass is also a key part of the buildings outer shell.

Click here for more information on the green credentials and performance of the building.

Posted 04 Nov 2011

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Opening of Blackpool Central Library

Bisset Adams celebrated the reopening and centenary celebrations of Blackpool Central Library on 26th October 2011.

Described by the Big Lottery representative as ‘the best refurbishment of a Carnegie library she’d ever seen’, the opening celebrations were attended by Councillors, Blackpool community, Librarians and all who worked on this exciting project.

Click here for more info and a slideshow

Posted 04 Nov 2011

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Rosendale Primary School Library Bus wins SLA Library Design Award 2011

The winner of the SLA Library Design Award 2011 is The Rosendale Primary School Library Bus.

Runners up were (in alphabetical order) The Elms School, Long Eaton and St John's School Marlborough.

The winning library was announced in conjunction with the SLA School Librarian of the Year Award at the School Libraries Celebration Day, held at The Mermaid Centre, London and organised by The School Library Association.

Click here for more information.

Posted 18 Oct 2011

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Finalists Announced in SLA Design Award 2011

The three school libraries selected as finalists in the SLA Library Design Awards 2011, sponsored by Demco Interiors, are (in no particular order) :

• The Elms School, Long Eaton
• The Rosendale Library Bus, London
• St John’s School, Marlborough

The winner and two highly commended finalists will be announced at the School Libraries Celebration Day on Monday 3rd October 2011 at the Mermaid Centre, London. Prize vouchers, from Demco’s sister brand LFC and Gresswell, and certificates will be presented by distinguished author Kevin Crossley-Holland.

The finalists were selected by a judging panel after an in-depth assessment of all the entries across a set of design guidelines, followed by visits to all the shortlisted schools and interviews with the school librarians. Citations for each of the finalists can be found at www.sla.org.

The panels of judges were: Geoff Duber education, libraries and learning consultant and past Chair of the SLA; Anne-Marie Tarter, consultant and UK school library trainer and previous SLA School Librarian of the Year Award winner and Rob Stone, regional sales manager, Demco Interiors.

Andy Parker, director of sales and marketing, Demco Interiors said: “ While Demco is not a political or campaigning company, we are committed to supporting school libraries and are delighted to have been given the opportunity to sponsor the School Library Association Library Design Award 2011. Good school library design is very close to our heart and therefore we look forward to our continued sponsorship of the award in 2012. Our thanks go to the SLA for holding the Award, all the school libraries who submitted entries and also to the panel of judges for their professionalism in assessing a high standard of entries. Congratulations and good luck to all the finalists.”

Entry for the SLA Library Design Award 2012 is now open. Entry forms and guidelines are available at www.sla.org

Posted 19 Sep 2011

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Redevelopment of Elmer Square

Planning permission has just been granted for the development of a new combined municipal and academic library at Elmer Square, Southend-on-Sea. The redevelopment of Elmer Square is a partnership between Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, the University of Essex and South Essex College of Further & Higher Education. The £26.9 million scheme will include an integrated municipal and academic Central Library and digital gallery, a modern teaching facility for South Essex College, and a stimulating research and learning environment for the University of Essex.

The 9,450m2 building will include a 203 seat lecture theatre, a new café, teaching space for approximately 600 students at any one time with study space for a further 450 students and will also be the new home of the Focal Point Gallery.

The new integrated public and academic library will include a main reading area approximately 40% bigger than the existing central Library, over 100 ICT stations and over 200 other seats. The Children's Library will be located on the ground floor providing enhanced access whilst the building will be located in a new public square.

The new building will be funded jointly by the Council (£12.5m), the University of Essex (£10.4m) and South Essex College (£4m). The building is being designed by ADP Architects.

Posted 09 Sep 2011

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Carlisle Library Reopens

Carlisle library has officially reopened after a £100,000 refurbishment.

The modernisation work which included installation of self-service machines was carried out to mark its 25th anniversary and was shaped by comments from library users.

Posted 12 Jul 2011

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Ruskin College library named after James Callaghan

The grandson of former Prime Minister James Callaghan has laid a foundation stone for a new library at an Oxford College.

A ceremony attended by students and academics marked the occasion at Ruskin College. The stone was laid by Joe Callaghan, a student at the Oxford college and grandson of the man who gave his name to the library the building will contain – former Prime Minister James Callaghan, who led the country from 1975 until 1979.

The Callaghan Library is part of a £5m project to refurbish a Grade II listed academic building.

Posted 12 Jul 2011

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Self Service Units blend into Library Design

D-Tech has installed five white self service ECO units with SelfCheck V4 software at Woolwich Library which has been re-located to the new Woolwich Centre, an integrated service centre for customers to access Council services.

D-Tech has worked with Greenwich Libraries on a number of RFID installation projects including the heritage West Greenwich Library and Plumstead Library.

The ECO self service unit is proving to be a best seller for D-Tech with its strong, minimalist impression, environmental credentials and easy maintenance. Moving away from stainless steel, ECO is available in a bespoke colour spectrum to suit any library interior. In this instance the white ECO has been chosen to compliment Woolwich Library’s new interior and to create an understated, up to the minute library space in the very modern, green and efficient Woolwich Centre.

D-Tech also installed their stylish plexiglass, colour changing antennas and thermal imaging people counters at the library.

Posted 12 Jul 2011

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