Kinnarps School Libraries - EN

School libraries

Inspiration and guidance

The library – a hub for learning and recovery

The school library is more than a place for books – it’s a hub for learning, curiosity and recovery. It’s where a love of reading comes alive and where students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning. With the right interior design, you can create a calm and inspiring environment where students can sit comfortably, read independently, collaborate in groups or withdraw for a moment of rest and recharge during the school day.

All students should have access to a staffed school library with a dedicated area that actively supports both teaching and learning. Here, interior design plays a crucial role. Thoughtful furnishing promotes both learning and wellbeing, making the library a natural and valued part of the school’s spaces.

In this brochure, we share tips, guidance and examples of how modern and inviting school libraries can be created.

Let yourself be inspired!

Kinnarps Group consists of several brands that complement one another:

5 tips to keep in mind when planning the school library

A well-planned library environment makes a difference. By starting from the school’s needs and ways of working, you can create a place that both inspires and works in everyday life. With a few fundamental principles in mind, you can shape an environment that engages and stands the test of time. Here are our key insights.

1. CREATE FLEXIBLE AREAS

The library should be usable in different ways throughout the school day. Choose furniture in a coherent colour palette that can be moved or combined with ease, so the space can quickly adapt for silent reading, groupwork or shared activities.

2. THINK IN ZONES

Divide the library into clear zones that encourage different types of use, e.g. a quiet zone for reading, self-study or recovery, and an active zone where pupils can discuss and learn together.

3. MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE

Build accessibility in from the start, both physically and pedagogically. Shelving heights optimised for the year group, clear signage, appropriate lighting and balanced acoustics make it easier for all pupils to find their way and feel comfortable.

4. LET THE FURNISHING SUPPORT DIFFERENT NEEDS

Choose interiors that invite different ways of reading, working and spending time. Combine soft seating, desks and project tables with options for screening to create a varied and inclusive environment where everyone can find their place.

5. PLAN FOR ACCESSIBILITY AND OVERVIEW

Design the library layout so it’s easy to move around, and create clear sightlines through the space so staff can easily oversee the area. This increases safety and makes it easier to support pupils on site.

CLIENT PROJECT

Silvia School

Thanks to Silvia School, Hässleholm Municipality has been a frontrunner since the 1990s in adapted education for pupils with hearing impairments. When the school outgrew its premises, a new, fully adapted school was built to maintain the high standard. With Kinnarps’ help, Silvia School realised the vision of a state-of-the-art school where the interior is tailored to the pupils’ specific needs.

As soon as you enter the school, you are greeted by the library – an accessible environment for reading, recovery and independent learning. Particular emphasis has been placed on the sound environment and clear room structure. Upholstered furniture and sound-absorbing materials create a calm and safe zone where pupils can focus, search for information or simply enjoy a moment of stillness.

FACTS

Client: Silvia School, Hässleholm Municipality, Sweden

Number of students: 87 Years: Preschool-9

Completed: May 2023

”Reading and writing are the foundations of all learning. Being immediately met with this type of environment sends a clear signal about the kind of education we aim to provide.”

”This is probably the best school library I’ve ever seen; we’re incredibly proud of it.”

CLIENT PROJECT

Estrid Ericson School

At Estrid Ericson School, the library has a central location and has become a warm, inviting place for reading, recovery and independent work. The environment is inspired by Estrid Ericson – designer, founder of the interior decorating company Svenskt Tenn and born in Hjo – which is reflected in the carefully selected colours, materials and the cosy, homely expression. The library is open and welcoming, furnished with warm green tones, wood and secluded spots with high, embracing backs and tables for different types of school tasks.

Together with Kinnarps, the school has built an environment where sustainability, movement and a love of reading have guided the design. The library is the heart of the school – a place to gather, gravitate towards and grow in. The interior creates a flexible, safe and inspiring learning environment where design and function go hand in hand.

FACTS

Client: Estrid Ericson School, Hjo

Municipality, Sweden

Number of students: approx. 150

Years: Preschool–Year 6 and and special needs school

Completed: Spring 2022

CLIENT PROJECT

Voldsløkka School Oslo

At Voldsløkka School, past and present meet as a modern school building is integrated with the listed Heidenreich building. The library plays a key role here – a flexible and appealing environment for focus, groupwork and recovery, designed to suit both the architectural character of the building and the school’s educational vision. With Kinnarps’ support, sustainable solutions were created that make the most of each room’s character and area, while encouraging students to move and inviting variety.

FACTS

Client: School Administration, Oslo Municipality, Norway

Number of students: approx. 810

Years: 7-9

Completed: August 2023

”It’s not just visitors who love the new library. Staff satisfaction has increased as well.”

Maria Roijer, Chief Librarian at Rosengård Library

CLIENT PROJECT

Rosengård Library

Rosengård Library is like a second living room – a place where Malmö residents of all ages can read, talk and study in peace and quiet. The interior has been carefully designed with a focus on sustainability and circularity, and consists of a blend of reused and newly produced furniture. The combination of carefully selected colours, flexible furniture and screened work areas creates an environment that accommodates both focus and togetherness, whatever the visitor’s needs.

The new library offers twice the space of the previous one and is more clearly adapted to today’s modern requirements. Kinnarps supported the entire process: from inventory and refurbishment of existing interiors to delivery of new, high-quality furniture. All items were integrated into a cohesive interior concept.

FACTS

Client: Rosengård Library, Malmö Municipality, Sweden

Number of employees: 17

Area: 2,000 sqm

Completed: Spring 2023

”The library is my favourite place! It’s cosy and you can choose between several different pieces of furniture or the soft rug.”

CLIENT PROJECT

Sjölunda School

Storage Space

The library at Sjölunda School is a calm, inviting and flexible place for reading, reflection and independent work. A variety of upholstered, soft furniture contributes to a safe atmosphere and gives students the option to choose how they want to sit – or lie down, for that matter.

The school has taken a long-term approach to the interior, where durable materials, flexible solutions and functional design meet students’ needs over time. From the outset, students were included in taking responsibility for the school environment, which has helped keep the school in top condition several years after moving in.

FACTS

Client: Sjölunda School, Lidköping Municipality, Sweden

Number of students: approx. 300

Years: Preschool-6

Completed: Autumn 2017

A love of reading needs space. And a space needs care.

A love of reading. Lifelong learning. Two building blocks for the future – and two reasons the school library must be given more room. At Kinnarps, we believe this is where, in an accessible and safe library, many students have their first encounter with the desire to understand, to delve deeper and to learn independently.

The school library is a vital part of the school’s learning spaces. It has to work for reading and recovery, for collaboration and concentration. Not least, it should help strengthen the school’s values and build a sense of community. That’s why the interior needs to be both flexible and durable, designed to meet many different needs. We help schools create exactly these kinds of environments: well-considered, ergonomic and inspiring – spaces that spark joy and a desire to learn.

Together, we create libraries and other learning environments that promote safety and focus. Places where every student can grow and reach their full potential. We can. We want to. And we consider it an honour to help strengthen literacy.

ANDERS LARSSON Learning Space Strategist, Kinnarps

The sustainable choice since 1942

Are you planning new learning spaces? We help you design flexible environments that last over time. At Kinnarps, we create truly sustainable interior design solutions. We have devoted ourselves to this every day since the business started in 1942. This involves focusing on creating real benefit, for our customers and for the environment. With production in Sweden, we have control over the entire chain, and our production ethos is to make the best possible use of existing resources. We put strict environmental requirements on our products, all of which have been tested according to various certifications and ecolabels, and therefore do not contain any unnecessary or harmful chemicals.

We are one of Europe’s leading total providers of interior design solutions and offer a very broad furniture range with our own brands and complementary partners. Our products come in a wide array of colours, materials, sizes and models so you can get exactly what you are looking for.

Smart procurement focuses on long-term value

Furnishing a new learning environment can feel big, difficult and costly. In reality, it’s about investing time and thought at the start to make a safe and well-considered investment.

Procuring on lowest price can seem cost-effective, but risks leading to higher costs over time. We have long experience of public procurement and can help you set evaluation criteria that secure sustainable, long-term solutions that meet your needs.

Services for a sustainable and circular future

 PRODUCTION IN SWEDEN

 TOTAL INTERIOR SOLUTION PROVIDER

 ERGONOMICS AND WELLBEING IN FOCUS

 QUALITY PRODUCTS DESIGNED TO LAST

NEXT EDUCATION ® LEARNING SPACE ANALYSIS

Our needs analysis helps you gather valuable knowledge and data before designing your new spaces. With specially developed tools, our experienced learning space strategists guide the management team through establishing the vision, goals and framework for the project. Staff and students are involved in a carefully considered way, and needs and work patterns are mapped out in a methodical way.

Your results are presented in a report, together with a floor plan and our recommendations for the physical environment. The factual data makes it easy to follow up on how your new learning spaces are working from year to year.

INTERIOR DESIGN SOLUTION – LEARNING SPACES FOR SAFETY AND FOCUS

How do you create safe learning spaces that promote the desire to learn? From vision to reality. We help you translate the results of your learning space analysis into a design concept and actual drawing.

INSPIRATIONAL LECTURE

In this lecture, we share practical knowledge and experience of physical learning spaces and focus on generating new ideas and ways of thinking about how the school’s premises can be designed for optimised learning.

WORKSHOP

This workshop gives you the opportunity to use tangible aids for team-building among your staff and to develop new ways of thinking about how your existing or future learning spaces can be designed to better meet your needs. The workshop can also be held together with students.

PLAYBOOK - GUIDE FOR THE OPTIMISED UTILISATION OF YOUR SPACES

Workshop where you are given tools for setting rules and guidelines for your learning spaces. The result is a practical playbook for you to agree on, which explains how the school should operate, making it easy to introduce new staff.

LAYOUT AND SPACE PLANNING

Together, we review your existing learning spaces and look at how they can be changed to better meet your needs. We provide advice on space and interior design planning.

PRODUCT ADVICE: ERGONOMICS, MATERIALS AND COLOURS

We have broad expertise in ergonomics and know which products, functions, materials and colours are best suited to different needs, activities and areas.

INVENTORY

We help you to make an inventory of existing furnishings in order to see what can be reused, renovated or updated. We ensure that old and new furniture are in harmony.

FURNITURE CARE / REUSE

Maintenance, refurbishment and updating of existing products for a long life cycle and sustainable circularity.

Ready to create tomorrow’s school libraries?

At Kinnarps, we’ll help you take the next step – with sustainable, flexible and long-term solutions based on the needs of your students and your organisation. Whether you’re at the starting line or mid-process, we’re here to support you all the way.

Always within reach

Kinnarps has local showrooms around Europe where you can experience inspiring learning environments in real life. Here you’ll find opportunities for advice, lectures and concrete examples of flexible and sustainable interior solutions. Find your nearest showroom and talk to our knowledgeable colleagues!

KINNARPS.COM/SHOWROOMS

Working on a larger project?

When every square metre is used effectively, school spaces become a powerful tool for learning. Thoughtfully designed environments build safety, calm and engagement, providing educators with the best conditions to inspire and guide. With our Next Education® analysis tool, we help you optimise your school’s spaces – from needs analysis and planning to interior design and completed learning environments that truly make a difference. Contact our learning space strategists to get started.

KINNARPS.COM/NEXT-EDUCATION

ANDERS LARSSON

Learning Space Strategist

anders.larsson@kinnarps.se

+46 515 381 28

TOVE NÖJD

Learning Space Strategist

tove.nojd@kinnarps.se

+46 515 383 70

We furnish the learning spaces of the future ”