British architecture studios, Nex and Donald Insall Associates, have renovated Exeter College’s neo-gothic library at the University of Oxford, originally constructed by George Gilbert Scott in 1857. Addressing a need for additional study spaces and improved accessibility of the Grade II-listed building, the studios implemented a series of contemporary interventions including the addition of new entrances, a staircase and a…

At Yakety Yak, we believe good design starts with people—how they move, work, and interact. That’s why our library service pods, desks, and counters are ergonomically designed to enhance well-being. Featuring gently curved worktops and electronic height adjustability, every detail is crafted to create a more accessible, comfortable and responsive experience for staff and customers.…

Architecture studio WORKac has completed the North Boulder Library in Colorado, USA, with an entry ramp running up its sloped form. Sited between a series of apartment buildings, a creek and a neighbourhood of manufactured houses, the public library was designed to face in multiple directions, with diverse entryways and facades. After a rigorous three-year…

Indian practice Studio Hinge has completed Forest of Knowledge, a library in Mumbai that sits beneath a tree-like canopy of latticed wood. The library was designed for the Cricket Club of India, a member’s club dating back to the 1930s that is housed in an art deco building in southern Mumbai. Adapting the third floor…

At Yakety Yak, sustainability is a core part of our company’s ethos and we design and manufacture our pods, desks and counters within a life-cycle framework. By employing Life Cycle Analysis, our designers consider the various stages of our products’ lives, from manufacture to disposal, with the aim of reducing their overall environmental impact. In…

The 470-square metre Graded School Library was completed in 2023 in a building constructed in 1961. The library is the American school’s latest addition after architect Siegbert Zenettini updated the building in 2012, modelling the design after a Park School concept with tree-lined squares. Local studio MAB3 architecture office designed the library with “comfortable, playful…

Traditional Korean architecture influenced the layout and shelving design in the library at the Korean Cultural Centre New York, designed by Studio Empathy and Praxes. Changhaak Choi of Studio Empathy and Jiyoung Kim from Praxes worked together to complete the 1,600-square-foot (149-square-metre) library, located on the third floor of the Korean Cultural Center New York’s…

Yakety Yak’s extensive range of customer service pods, desks and counters are available in a wide range of colours and finishes. Not only can you benefit from Yakety Yak’s elegant, ergonomic and height-adjustable designs, you can also choose a colour scheme that complements your space. From bold primary colours to soft, natural tones, we’ve got…

Architecture studio Snøhetta has completed the Far Rockaway Library in New York, which is wrapped in fritted, orange ombre glass covered with thin, white script by Brooklyn artist José Parlá. Located in the Far Rockaway neighborhood of Queens, the building replaces a former library on site and doubles its size. At 18,000 square feet (1,672…

A responsive, people-centred front-of-house is essential for today’s community-focused library. This guide explores how to choose service desks that create a comfortable, engaging, and purpose-fit space. It highlights the new generation of smart desks that are adaptable, open, and ergonomic, designed to enhance staff and customer well-being and create a welcoming environment where people want…