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