Interior specialist completes transformation of University of Leeds’ Laidlaw Library

Southerns, the interiors specialist, has completed the design and installation of an interiors solution for the new Laidlaw Library, at the University of Leeds.

The new venue requested a specialist fit out that matched 21st century education and has been installed using Southerns’ unique planning and implementation processes.

The Laidlaw Library, at the centre of the University campus, will be fully operational in September 2015, and is the latest addition to the University of Leeds estate.

Led by Shepherd construction, the £25 development, which opened its doors for the first time in spring 2015, will increase capacity for the University’s students and is part of a range of new-build and refurbishment projects underway at the University.

A crucial aspect of the brief was to design inspiring, modern study spaces, which would allow students to work in new ways, reflecting the changes in education.

Dr Stella Butler, University Librarian, said: “We’re enormously proud of what we’ve achieved with the Laidlaw Library. The brief set out to create an inspiring study space and this building is set to inspire our students for many years to come. Southerns have been integral to the project, having worked alongside us and our construction partners in a very detailed and constructive way. Their attention to detail and knowledge of the sector is exactly what we needed to help make this building a first class facility.”

Andrew Kendall-Jones, principal and founder of Southerns, added: “We’ve applied our extensive understanding of the Education sector to the fit-out of the Laidlaw Library and are proud to have been involved in this leading project. By getting involved in the scheme at a very early stage, we were able to really get to the heart of what was required and work with the client to develop the solution in a more collaborative way. This is the difference in our way of working and it delivers real results for the projects we undertake.”

To fulfil the project, Southerns researched different Library trends and held in-depth meetings with user groups to fully understand modern requirements.

Southerns’ involvement covered every aspect of the fit-out of the building, including sourcing and procuring furniture, to planning and installing power sockets. The installation was completed over a ten-week period, fitting around other construction and academic factors. The end result is a state-of-the-art library that will fulfil the education needs of University of Leeds students for the future.

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