Over recent years, we have had the pleasure of working regularly with The University of Sydney Library. In this profile, we highlight three installations from our 200 Series desk range situated throughout the Camperdown Campus.
Established in 1859, the Camperdown campus is the University of Sydney’s largest and oldest location. Today, it houses six libraries, seven faculties and a wide range of specialized centres, institutes and facilities. It has a rich cultural heritage and is noted for its beautiful architecture and Neo-Gothic style quadrangle.
Paul White, our Director of Design, worked closely with Mark Sanfilippo, the Library’s Learning Spaces Manager, who commands a wealth of knowledge around the working requirements of both staff and students.
Our compact and mobile YAKETY YAK 201 Desk is situated as a staff help point welcoming students to the recently established Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Lounge. The lounge is located in the historic Macleay Building which provides a rich architectural backdrop for student life. The Classic Oak worktop and black frame of the desk align with the refined modern furnishings in happy contrast to the room’s gothic design.
Situated in the University’s growing health precinct, the Susan Wakil Health Building library is fronted by our YAKETY YAK 203 Desk. This larger desk is flexible and ergonomic which supports multi-tasking and ease of interaction with students. The desk’s Storm worktop, Seal Grey frontage and black frame, provide a quiet presence in keeping with the library’s interior.
The Fisher Library is housed in an iconic 60-year-old modernist building and is the University’s largest library.
In the busy entry foyer, our YAKETY YAK 205 Island Desk provides a security guard station, positioned strategically between the main entries. The spacious desk is finished in dark colors, providing an unobtrusive and versatile work space. Our oval COVID Screen is mounted off the desk, keeping germ transfer to a minimum.
On the far side of the entry foyer two YAKETY YAK 203 Desks are positioned between information screens forming a friendly, approachable help point for students. The dark toned desk livery contrasts with the eye-catching ‘ASK ME’ graphics applied to the desk fronts. The touch-button height adjustability and interactive desk tops, enable staff to work comfortably seated or standing, making fielding student enquiries a breeze.
Mark Sanfilippo, Learning Spaces Manager says, “The beauty of the Yakety Yak is portability and malleability. Powering service-point equipment and accommodating individual staff needs in a rapidly changing roster of staff service-point use is the strength of the solution.”
