Waddington and West Bradford Primary School tasked us with transforming their old computer room into a brand-new library. Their vision was to take the outdated space and turn it into a vibrant, storybook-inspired library that feels magical and interactive, which encouraged literacy learning. We believe we truly brought that vision to life!
The staff loved the idea of having a dedicated seating area where multiple children could grab a book from the shelves, sit together, and either read or listen to a story. We aimed to design a space that felt cosy while also encouraging social interaction. Taking advantage of the room’s pointed shape, we crafted a custom bench seat that fit perfectly within the space, creating an inviting and functional reading nook. We kept the bottom half open, to allow for extra storage space. For the library flooring, we installed artificial grass to provide a soft surface for children to sit on and also enhance the overall storybook ambiance.
To maximise the use of the space, we designed perimeter shelving to line each side of the library, using beautifully crafted, naturally sourced Robinia timber. Each piece of Robinia timber is unique in shape and size, creating a tree-like effect that adds to the library’s charm. We intentionally integrated this timber into the design to bring a distinctive, whimsical touch, enhancing the overall character of the space.
Our goal was to make reading come to life and create a library that truly stands out, one that the children of Waddington and West Bradford would be excited to spend time in. Designing a unique feature like the book archway was key to sparking their interest and encouraging a love for reading! We also installed LED skylights in the ceiling, positioned above the archway and near the entrance of the library, adding another exciting and theatrical element to the design.
The staff requested a designated area within the library to accommodate some computers for online learning. In response, we allocated the front section of the library for a custom-made desk and a lockable timber shelving unit, ensuring that children would have a dedicated space for their online learning activities. We made sure that this section was still in keeping with the magical design of the library.
“Thank you to everyone at Precision Timber for building us a bespoke library of our dreams! We had a vision but didn’t know how we were going to execute that but you came along and suddenly our vision seemed very real. We cannot fault the whole process; the communication was excellent and the standard of work is exceptional. We are so thrilled with the outcome – it is now our most cherished room where the children love to come and read. We are so grateful to the whole team for your ideas, creativity and hard work. I would definitely recommend you to any other schools and we can’t wait to get saving for our next project with you!”
Sarah White, Head Teacher
If you’re interested in creating an engaging reading area within your school to inspire and enrich learning for early childhood development, please reach out to our expert Precision Timber Team.
