Corwen Library Transformation

Corwen Library is housed within a beautiful historic building full of character, and challenges. Our brief from the team was clear:

• Create a dedicated children’s library area
• Modernise the overall space
• Improve layout and accessibility
• Make the library feel more welcoming and connected to its surroundings

Working closely with the library team from pre-tender stage through to installation, we delivered a design that balances heritage with contemporary usability, while maximising every square metre.

From the outset, the library team wanted more than a cosmetic refresh. Their priorities were practical and community-focused:

• A safe, dedicated children’s zone
• A modern and welcoming adult library environment
• Better use of limited floor space
• Improved accessibility
• A stronger connection to the local area and heritage

An early site visit was crucial. It allowed us to fully understand the building’s quirks, the aspirations of the team, and how the space was used day-to-day.

Designing around people, not just furniture

Our design philosophy centred on creating a space that is:

• Open and welcoming
• Flexible for events and activities
• Inclusive and accessible
• Reflective of the local community

The layout was reimagined to improve sightlines, increase natural light, and create clearly defined yet connected zones.

The Children’s Library

A dedicated, safe and flexible space

To create a proper children’s area, internal walls were removed to open up the space. Instead of installing a solid barrier that would block views, we introduced a picket fence enclosure.

This solution:

• Clearly defines the children’s area
• Maintains visibility and supervision
• Keeps the space feeling open and connected

Features added

• Sensory wall featuring sequin flowers and butterflies, adding colour and tactile engagement while supporting the nature theme
• Wall dens and open dens for shared reading and quiet moments
• A movable open den that can be repositioned for story time or events

The result is a playful, safe and adaptable space that encourages interaction while remaining practical for staff.

The Adult Library

Calm, functional and accessible

The adult area was modernised with a thoughtful mix of:

• Comfortable seating within dens
• Seating arranged around original ornate steel columns
• Dedicated study spaces
• Height-adjustable PC desks
• An accessible help desk with recessed front panel

The previous help desk dominated the floorplate, extending halfway into the library. We redesigned it to reduce the footprint by 50%, freeing up valuable space while maintaining full operational functionality for staff.

Corwen Library’s building is full of charm, but also uneven floors, irregular walls and structural quirks.

Key challenges

• Uneven floors and walls
• Shelving positioned in front of windows, blocking natural light
• Limited floor space
• A large, intrusive help desk

Our solutions

• Designed shelving around existing cill heights for a cleaner, fitted appearance
• Repositioned shelving to maximise natural light
• Reduced the help desk footprint
• Carefully measured and adjusted furniture to work with the building’s irregularities

Rather than fighting the building, we worked with it, enhancing its character while improving functionality.

Colour palette & atmosphere

Inspired by the surrounding countryside, the interior palette balances calm and vibrancy.

Adult area

• Fresh whites and greys
• Upholstery accents in blues, greens and oranges
• Calm, contemporary feel
  
  

Children’s area

• Brighter greens and yellows
• Nature-inspired theme
• Warm, engaging and playful atmosphere

The result is a cohesive yet clearly zoned environment.

One of the standout features of the project is the bespoke graphics programme.

The client was keen to reflect local heritage, so we incorporated a historic image of Corwen’s market square onto:

• Shelving end panels
• Feature wall artwork

This simple but powerful addition created a strong sense of place and uniqueness, giving the library its own visual identity and delivering a genuine “wow” factor.

From design to installation

Turning vision into reality required close collaboration between designers, suppliers and the library team.

Through structured planning and clear communication:

• Installation ran smoothly
• Disruption was minimised
• The finished result reflected the original design intent

The partnership approach ensured a seamless journey from concept to completion.

Sustainability considerations

While aesthetics and functionality were primary drivers, key sustainable considerations included:

• Retaining and working within the existing building structure
• Reducing material waste through precise design and fit
• Specifying durable, long-life furniture to minimise replacement cycles
• Maximising natural light to reduce reliance on artificial lighting

Longevity and adaptability were central to the design, ensuring the space remains future-proof.

Impact

The transformed Corwen Library now offers:

• A clear and safe children’s destination
• Improved accessibility
• Increased usable floor space
• Enhanced natural light
• A stronger sense of community identity

The space is welcoming, flexible and better suited to the needs of modern library users.

“This is the first time I have managed a complete library refurbishment and working with Gresswell made the process very straightforward. We received funding for the refurbishment from the Welsh Government Cultural Transformation Capital Programme , which supports public libraries, local museums and archive services to transform service delivery, modernise facilities and improve their offer to the people and communities they serve. Gresswell helped us to achieve these objectives, modernising the library and improving the facilities available to the local community.

Corwen Library is one of our smaller libraries and we found that Gresswell understood exactly what we wanted to achieve, creating a calm and welcoming space which reflects the countryside outside. By reducing the size of the staff desk we have created more space for books and seating for customers. We love our new Children’s Library, which is a fun, safe area for families and has shelving on wheels so we can transform the space to create a larger area for school visits and rhyme times.

The team from Gresswell were happy to tweak the plans to accommodate our requirements and produced a lovely graphic from a local history image to wrap the shelves and display on the walls, making the design feel personal to Corwen. The fitters were very efficient and organised  and were happy to make any changes we asked for.

The library only re-opened a few weeks ago but we have received lots of positive feedback so far.

‘Looks great, fresh and modern. The Children’s area is full of light and space, and much more attractive for children to use. Displays are good and inviting to see more books. Staff are always helpful and knowledgeable.’ – Community member”

Deborah Owen
Principal Librarian
Housing and Communities
Denbighshire County Council

This project demonstrates how thoughtful design can:

• Maximise limited space
• Respect and enhance heritage buildings
• Improve operational efficiency
• Create inclusive and accessible environments
• Strengthen community connection

For Heads of Libraries, the project shows how strategic layout changes can dramatically improve user experience without structural expansion.

For librarians, it highlights how furniture, zoning and flexibility can support programming and daily operations.

For construction partners, it demonstrates the importance of precision, collaboration and sensitivity when working within historic environments.