Designing the Library of the Future at Cardiff University

How Cardiff University reimagined its flagship library as a future-ready experience hub — and why it started with service design, not shelving.

The Challenge

What’s the role of a university library in 10 years' time?

That was the bold question posed by Cardiff University as part of a major estate development programme. The library leadership team didn’t just want more shelves or study pods. They wanted to completely rethink what a modern, future-facing library should offer students — physically, digitally, and experientially.

From collaboration spaces to digital labs, quiet zones to wellbeing rooms — the goal was to design a space that reflected how students want to learn, connect, and grow in an ever-changing academic world.

"We weren’t just upgrading a building. We were designing a new kind of university experience — one that could evolve with the students who use it."
— University Librarian, Cardiff University

What We Did

We led a collaborative service design process, working closely with Cardiff’s library and estates teams to define the student experience of the future — and translate that into a clear brief for architects and planners.

Here’s how we approached it:

  • 👥 Real personas, not guesswork
    We used student feedback, surveys, and behavioural research to create detailed personas representing future users — from first-year undergrads to PhD researchers and part-time students.

  • 🔭 Futures thinking meets grounded design
    Partnering with leading futures consultancies, we explored trends in learning, tech, space design and hybrid education — turning foresight into practical design inputs.

  • 🧭 Journey mapping for digital + physical
    We mapped how students would interact with the library — in person, online, and in blended formats — identifying the key moments, emotions, and services that mattered most.

  • 📐 A strategic brief for architects
    We delivered a detailed design framework that brought together student expectations, service innovation, and spatial needs — guiding the architects’ work from the start.

The Impact

The Cardiff library project is now moving forward with a clear, student-centred vision that will shape one of the UK’s most forward-thinking academic spaces.

✅ A shared vision that brings together student services, estates and design
✅ Future-proofed planning that supports flexible learning, collaboration and wellbeing
✅ Clear direction for architects and planners, grounded in real user needs
✅ A flagship space that reflects Cardiff’s commitment to world-class student experience

“This work changed the way we think about space — it’s not just about facilities, it’s about experiences. And it’s about building for the students we haven’t even met yet.”
— Head of Library Strategy, Cardiff University

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