Installation
Teesside University
Teesside University’s library goes far beyond its functional purpose of providing the 10,000 students that pass through its doors each week with a place to read, study, and learn. It provides a home from home, offering a haven of peace and quiet during what can be the most stressful periods of university life.
Taking place over a period of four years, beginning in 2012, the project was divided into four phases - staggered over summer breaks to reduce any potential disruption to the University and its students, and ensuring all resources remained available throughout the transformation. Designed by CMPG Architects and featuring Camira fabrics in Patina and Xtreme throughout, the project has succeeded in creating a space that perfectly balances functionality with style, durability with comfort, and modernity with homeliness.
Incorporating a theme which sought to bring the outside in, as an antidote to the stark exposed concrete structure of many of the library’s internal walls, CPMG Interior Designer Scarlett Spalding developed a ‘Four Seasons’ concept which is reflected throughout the building. Utilising a colour palette which includes the zingy freshness of spring, the vibrancy of summer, earth tones of autumn and a monochromatic winter palette, this seasonal progression is mirrored in the journey through the floors of the building.
Multiple learning environments
Scarlett Spalding, Interior Designer at CPMG Architects, provides an insight into her decision-making: “We were careful to avoid ‘flat’ colours that would show stains from repeated use, a strong benefit of the Patina fabric was that it had two tones within the colour but from a distance the colour appeared solid. The fabrics worked well with each of the different furniture choices within the scheme and were able to be applied to all of the products specified.”
With an ethos that places students at the heart of what they do, Teesside University also wanted its library to reflect this core purpose – providing its users with multiple learning environments to facilitate the many ways in which individuals learn; encouraging collaborative studying and small group learning as well as solo work.
With an ethos that places students at the heart of what they do, Teesside University also wanted its library to reflect this core purpose – providing its users with multiple learning environments to facilitate the many ways in which individuals learn; encouraging collaborative studying and small group learning as well as solo work.
A welcoming space
As a result of this requirement, the project included a wide range of seating to deliver the most appropriate furniture for each space, incorporating task chairs, lounge chairs, upholstered seating and bespoke made booths. Scarlett worked closely with Keeley Smith, Area Business Manager at Camira, to choose fabric that would contribute to the light-hearted social environment the University was aiming to achieve, and meet the differing needs of each area.
Scarlett explains, “By avoiding patterns and heavy textures in the library, we were able to create a calmer space, the soft design of the fabric provides arich and vibrant learning environment that welcomes students to experience all of the different spaces and relax. From the input of all involved, we were able to provide the University with a well-considered scheme that suited their brief and has given the students a fantastic space to work and study.”
Scarlett explains, “By avoiding patterns and heavy textures in the library, we were able to create a calmer space, the soft design of the fabric provides arich and vibrant learning environment that welcomes students to experience all of the different spaces and relax. From the input of all involved, we were able to provide the University with a well-considered scheme that suited their brief and has given the students a fantastic space to work and study.”
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