Sale Library - Trafford

Building use changes over time and the once-busy customer services space in a large atrium had become empty for much of the day. Opening the Book's design brought the library out of the low-ceilinged area at the back to take centre-stage in the atrium with dramatic retail-style shelving, lots of bring-your-own-device options and fun one-to-one pods.

The ambience is open and airy and respects the original architecture while feeling welcoming and dynamic. Everything is moveable so the space can be shared with the Waterside Arts Centre and many other partners for special events and exhibitions. The flooring gap left by the removal of advice desks was covered by double-sided tall lightbox shelving – a great book display on the public side and useful storage on the back.

The key offers of books, digital support, socialising and enabling activities are immediately visible. The book offer flows in organic curves across the atrium and interior spaces. Curves tempt customers forward to discover what might be in the next bookcase and also create safe pockets of space to step out of the flow to browse uninterrupted.

There are lots of different places to sit to meet diverse needs and activities – a large modular multicoloured activity table in the atrium for those who like collaborative working; study tables with power units along the perimeter; an activity table and chairs to relax in in the less exposed space inside the library. Computers are in a quieter corner and kept together to make it easy for classes and digital support.

A vibrant and flexible children's space maximises the windows at the back of the building with tables of different heights, fun seating, sofas for families and lots of face-out books. The dramatic big book feature offers seating, play and performance all in one as well as a great announcement of the children's space on the outside, making it easy to find. We worked with local artist Penny Neville-Lee and library staff to create customised graphics for the big book and the bookcase signage. Penny's central commission shows all the activities of the children's library – reading and listening; craft and music; seed planting and green activities.

Opening the Book designed and managed external and internal signage for a complex building with three different entrances, working with our partners CV Graphics. We made Trafford Local Studies and Archives more visible with bold signage and the use of local history photographs and paintings in library areas. The route through to find the exciting new offer from Cosgrove Hall Films Archive, is signalled with a running Danger Mouse graphic on the external windows and the internal pillars. This the first permanent home for this wonderful archive and we were delighted to include Postman Pat's Sorting Office in a prominent location as a taster of the collection.

We are proud that our design has transformed a bare and awkward space into a buzzing cultural hub. As well as lots of spaces for small groups and one-to-ones, the library continues to accommodate marketplace and festival events with 25 stalls and can also seat an audience of 135 with a raised stage in front.

This project was supported by the Arts Council England Libraries Improvement Fund and the UK Government.