Designing Libraries

UWTSD had made a strategic decision to close two of its Swansea campuses, and develop a new campus on the Swansea Waterfront. The phase one of the project involved the building of a multi-faculty academic building and a library. Phase one was completed in 2018. The two legacy campuses have now also been closed. The new library replaces the two libraries that were closed as part of this campus re-alignment.

The vision for the new library was to create a space that would support the transformational agenda of the service; to move from a library that was defined and restricted by its physical print collections with little flexibility in terms of learning space provision, to one which could support the students, researchers and academic staff in every aspect of their individual and collaborative learning journeys.

We also embarked on a significant university collection weeding project as part of the project.

Awards

Type of library

Campus/site library, Faculty/departmental library, Multi-purpose/joint-use or shared service building

Size

2,705 m²

Floors

Architect

Stride Treglown

Building contractor

Kier

Features and services

Special services

Cafe/refreshment areas, Group study spaces, Open learning provision, Specialist subject collections, Teaching rooms, Exhibition display areas, Meeting rooms, Water Fountain (every floor), Gender-neutral toilet facilities (each floor)

External features

Project developed was in conjunction with Prince’s Foundation building communities which has shaped the architecture and façade, the building design takes inspiration from industrial architecture in dock water side settings. And the engineering massing of the library reflects industrial heritage of the site.

The library incorporates two art work undertaken by university surface design pattern student around textile and glasswork.

Glass Balustrade: Stacey Mead (BA Surface Pattern Design: Swansea College of Art, UWTSD)
Acoustic Panels: Jess Hill (BA Surface Pattern Design: Swansea College of Art, UWTSD)

Internal features

Library Staff Office
IT Staff Office
Two Student Art Installations / Commissions.
FF & E reflects industrial heritage of the area, for example use of copper as a colour theme; Swansea was the world’s main producer of copper during the 19th C.

Energy efficiency

EPC- A
Bream excellent
Building incorporates renewable tech, include solar PV, raining water harvesting, waterless urinals,
Brown field development
Landscaping utilizes local species
High standard of cycle storage provided in encouraging sustainable travel
LED lighting through out
Building management system to ensure efficient resource usage

Accessibility provision

Lift Access to all floors
Parking
Signage / Guiding: Accessible and Bilingual

Interior designer

Stride Treglown, Spaces That Work

Furniture suppliers

Momentum, Bruynzeel

Services and facilities suppliers

2CQR: Self Issue / RFID gates
Ex Libris Alma / Primo: LMS
CELCAT (Ground Floor Room Bookings)

IT provision

RFID, WiFi, charging points, device lending, Lapsafe: 78 laptops for loan, 52 computer terminals.

Seats/study places

436

Stock

33,793

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Description