Library Design Case Study
Tunstall Town Hall sits in a perfect location as the centrepiece of the town’s Tower Square but had not been used for decades and had fallen into serious disrepair. A major restoration project was carried out as part of Stoke-on-Trent Council’s capital programme. The building now houses a children’s centre, council offices, customer services and, of course, a library.
The library was moved into the impressive ballroom on the first floor. The layout was complicated by the requirement to also provide a Local Centre with public-facing customer service desks, connected to an adjacent back office, and a PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence) interview room with full confidentiality, recording and two exits for safety. Opening the Book worked with architects, project managers and leads from both Libraries and Localities to explore different options for laying out the space. The children’s library and the Local Centre and offices switched from one end of the building to the other as different options were explored. We needed to keep the lovely windows free, manage aspects like access to the old heating manifold and reduce the need for mid-floor power to keep costs down – there were plenty of challenges.
The result has restored a wonderful building to life with a busy library running a lively programme of events. The children’s library with its big book tree stage is especially popular. We are proud that the quality of our design and installation matched the quality of the fine restoration of the building.
The first new library built in the County for 20 years meant expectations were high at Thame for the library service and politicians as well as the local community.
The 4th floor of Boots Library is the most heavily used computer space in the university. The brief was to raise the quality of the student experience while maintaining the required number of computers and supporting 24/7 opening.
The new Library and Customer Service Centre at Risca is built as a modern extension behind the restored façade of the old Palace Cinema which had been derelict for many years.
Opening the Book was contracted to deliver an interior design which made the space lighter and brighter, implemented a successful transition from staff-led counter service to self-service via RFID and improved the customer experience for over 500,000 people visiting the library each year.
Opening the Book was first appointed by Mace to work with the architects, structural engineers, project managers, landscape architects, mechanical and electrical designers at Stages A-E of the planned new building.
Transforming the old chapel in a 19th century school into a contemporary, practical library was an exciting challenge for our design team.
Werneth School in Stockport moved to a new purpose-built home on the school site. How could all the successful library activities be fitted into a smaller space?
Opening the Book first visited St Mary’s Church, Lichfield, in 2016 to consider the feasibility of the library being part of a larger refurbishment project.
This was a first for Opening the Book and gave us an opportunity to explore how we could bring the same aesthetic of integrating books and play that we bring to our public library projects into a very challenging, much more compact environment.
At Gateshead, Opening the Book created a successful MakerPlace in their existing Sound Gallery.
Opening the Book refurbished Gateshead Central Lending Library, including children’s and young adult areas, in 2009 so we were delighted to return to complete the work with a transformation of the computer and reference areas into the new Gateshead Archive.
Conwy CBC had an opportunity to provide a new community hub for rural Conwy when the building which had been the Glasdir Business and Conference Centre in Llanrwst became available.
Opening the Book was excited to work with Doncaster MBC in creating the new Danum centre, bringing together the Central Library, the Museum and the Art Gallery to one site.
Opening the Book is helping to transform the Grade II* listed Central Library with designs to support contemporary services in a historic building.
Ingenious designs create a surprising capacity in this jewel of a city centre library.
A complete makeover for two busy libraries, including fun reading hideout features for children.
Fitting everything into small spaces while keeping flexibility for community use is key to small library design.
A complex project in a beautiful and busy building to bring a complete refresh and easier navigation.
Opening the Book brought the library from the back to take centre stage in the atrium. Loans increased by over 20% in the first 11 weeks.