Loughborough University

Client: Loughborough University

Project Value: £350,000

Project Duration: 12 weeks

Project Description: Design and build a new and improved Entrance Facility for the prestigious ‘Pilkington Library’, along with creating on each side of the main internal lobby a café/bistro area and a small retail shop facility.

Objective: To enhance the Library experience for both University Staff and Students to make the Library more appealing and inviting and a focal point for meetings and discussions in the informal café/bistro area.

The Challenge: The Library had to remain open during the works and given the obvious role of the building any noise and disruption must be kept to an absolute minimum.

The Solution: By separating the work areas and creating a temporary access corridor with good quality screens emblazoned with eye catching graphics explaining what was happening all showing impressions of how it would look, the students were both entertained and informed and were happy to co-operate with the small period of restricted facilities. One early peace of innovation was to organize a competition whereby the students could submit suggested name for the Café/Bistro area.

The retail shop and café were completed during normal working hours and the new revolving door entrance doors and security barriers were installed over weekend periods.

New bespoke reception desks were installed on each side of the main entrance lobby with good graphics and signage to manage and inform the students even when they entered the building “en masse”.

The completed new entrance and facilities were opened by the Vice Principal to much acclaim from all of the user groups.