Libraries & Archives

Through our delivery of the London Library, our involvement with Kingston University, recent work for the Warburg Institute and for the Edinburgh University Library competition, we have undertaken extensive research on future trends in library and study space design and see ourselves as innovators in this sector.

The nature of university libraries is changing; originally buildings for storing and displaying books for reading and borrowing as well as providing some areas for individual study, the introduction of modern technology and new ways of learning has resulted in a significant change in the spaces a library is now expected to provide. Students are now accustomed to using a blend of digital and physical resources and expect libraries to provide facilities for them to relax, study alone or in groups, meet friends and have one-to-one tutorials. Despite this paradigm shift, there is still an expectation that an element of the ‘traditional library’ would remain, where books convey a gravitas and atmosphere of concentrated, quiet learning with high quality materials and spatial design conducive to effective and enjoyable academic pursuit.

We take a very holistic approach to our library design, from space efficient layouts of bookstacks and desk spaces, to providing excellent acoustics, sustainability and future adaptability. At the London Library our design approach ensured that understated but beautiful spaces were created with a clear and comprehensive aesthetic, by designing strong spatial concepts down to the smaller details of furniture, lighting and ironmongery as a cohesive whole. At the Warburg, the challenge is to reconcile a desire for greater permeability of the Institution and its collections, with a practical need for security, whilst delivering a high performing library space within a historic building.