- Case study
- Making a library a modern classic.
Making a library a modern classic.
With a 200-year heritage, Liverpool John Moores University’s vision is to provide a transformational experience that changes every student for the better. The university wanted to make its library a new space to support this goal.
Delivered by:
Giselle Clayton
Project information.
Client:
Liverpool John Moores University
Location:
North West
Sector:
Higher Education
Value:
Scope:
We worked alongside the university to design a scheme and deliver a furniture palette to reimagine the existing library building to create a new, inspirational and multi-functional space.
With a 200-year heritage, Liverpool John Moores University’s vision is to provide a transformational experience that changes every student for the better. The university wanted to make its library a new space to support this goal.
Client:
Liverpool John Moores University
Location:
North West
Sector:
Higher Education
Value:
£7,100,000
Scope:
We worked alongside the university to design a scheme and deliver a furniture palette to reimagine the existing library building to create a new, inspirational and multi-functional space.
Delivered by:
Giselle Clayton
Other members:
Nathan Ho, Designer
Ellie Duarte, Client Account Manager
Project overview.
The library revival saw our design and installation experts collaborate with university stakeholders to offer a modern, stimulating environment.
Objective
Dynamic learning space.
Following the opening of its flagship Student Life building, the university wanted to revive its existing library. The brief was to design a dynamic learning space to encourage student learning and occupancy – working within a tight timescale and budget.
Target outcomes & Goals
Prevent highly reusable products from going to waste.
18%
Carbon footprint reduction
72%
Sustainable materials used
£145,000
Local community contribution
CCS / NEUPC
ISO 14001 accredited
Create a new, inspirational and multifunctional space where students would be keen to spend time, and find learning easy.
Our approach.
30 wordsWe needed to work quickly to design a dynamic learning space that would encourage student learning and increase utilisation, to meet tight project timescales. This was achieved by our design team and dedicated account manager collaborating closely with university stakeholders, from brief to delivery.
What we did
Delivery by the book.
Our process is designed to minimise complexity and encourage collaboration. Featuring eight steps, it is tried and trusted and plays a huge part in helping us deliver great projects with our clients:
- Define objectives, build relationships
- Analyse space opportunities and constraints for users
- Project check-ins to review progress
- Small feedback groups to act on relevant input
- Sketching layouts, space planning, selecting furniture, 2D/3D visuals
- Real-world feedback through pilots
- Place orders and set installation dates
- User feedback to ensure space works as intended
- Define objectives, build relationships
- Analyse space opportunities and constraints for users
- Project check-ins to review progress
- Small feedback groups to act on relevant input
- Sketching layouts, space planning, selecting furniture, 2D/3D visuals
- Real-world feedback through pilots
- Place orders and set installation dates
- User feedback to ensure space works as intended
Key challenges
Connecting spaces.
Existing fixed furniture, with an uninspiring colour palette, needed to be replaced. Working with university’s in-house team we proposed a cohesive floorpan of interconnected zones.
Custom solutions
Rapidly redefined.
It was agreed each area would have a defined function – IT, collaboration and study spaces – linked to a unified colour palette and design style. Acoustics were managed using sound-absorbing upholstered booths, and free-standing and desk-mounted screens.
Our dedicated account manager, supported by our design and project management teams, was able to quickly translate the brief into working plans. After the university agreed on specification and finishes the project was installed in just one week.
Our dedicated account manager, supported by our design and project management teams, was able to quickly translate the brief into working plans. After the university agreed on specification and finishes the project was installed in just one week.
Results.
Our thorough understanding of the organisation and its operations allows us to work to DWP’s exacting standards.
The new library facility provides a contemporary, multifunctional space which reflects the university’s vision and values. The Southerns Broadstock Interiors team was quickly able to translate our brief into working plans and deliver a highly successful solution.
Stephen Rudge
Project Officer, Liverpool John Moores University
Results.
By working with Casala, we were able to prevent landfill waste and buy the product back. This enabled Coventry University to redistribute its budget into another scheme.
The team was incredibly professional and attentive to every detail. Our project turned out even better than we imagined.
Awaiting Copy
Marketing Director, NovaTech Media
Working with Southerns Broadstock Interiors as our furniture consultants has been an exceptional experience. From the outset, they understood the importance of delivering a space that stayed true to the architect’s original vision while meeting the evolving needs of the building’s occupants and the University’s sustainability ambitions. Their expertise in managing change and integrating legacy furniture alongside carefully selected new pieces allowed us to achieve a seamless aesthetic and narrative.”
The final design was full of practical solutions that aligned with the needs of those who will use the building day to day. By reusing significant proportion of our existing furniture, the FF&E package delivered meaningful carbon savings without compromising on quality or functionality.
Dr Mark I. Butler Ph.D.
Head of Operational Change, University of Oxford
As our furniture consultants, SBI brought a structured and methodical approach to refining the FF&E specification and space plans, ensuring we had sufficient understanding of possible furniture options to complement the architectural vision, and to support needs of the building’s future users.
The team’s attention to detail and commitment to quality have delivered a beautifully furnished, functional and inspiring environment that perfectly reflects the aspirations of the project.
Karen Brill
Client Representative, Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities Building Project, University of Oxford
Working with Southerns Broadstock Interiors as our furniture consultants on the LaMB building has been an exceptional experience. We are delighted with the result — a beautifully furnished building that embodies the values of the University of Oxford.
Dr Mark I. Butler Ph.D.
Head of Operational Change, University of Oxford
Broadstock provided a good level of service throughout the entirety of the project. They were fully engaged, were able to offer invaluable advice and present opportunities to realise our aspirations, while remaining conscious of our principal requirements and budget constraints.
Julian King MCIOB
Senior Project Manager, Estates Department , Royal Holloway, University of London
Broadstock’s strength was the team’s ability to work collaboratively with the client, providing quick responses in regard to drawing information, samples and cost advice. The team was professional and personable, delivering a good level of service. They were also able to remain flexible and worked hard to push every inch out of the scheme.
Bernice Bear
Design Manager, Osborne
Key supply partners.
Projects we’re proud of.
Where we’ve turned good spaces in brilliant experiences – with impactful outcomes.
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