James Joyce Library

In a post pandemic world, we now recognize the importance of campus life to the student experience and how libraries play a unique role in facilitating social, academic, student community engagement and the cultivation of collaborative skills needed in today’s workforce. The James Joyce Project demonstrates how Libraries can be welcoming, inclusive, accessible and safe learning spaces that take on board technological advances such the increased digitization of books as well as designing for neurodiverse students. The James Joyce Library is a sensitive refurbishment of a 1972 Brutalist style building that has adapted to the needs of modern -day students. The project demonstrates the success of ‘ Future of Learning Concepts’ and ‘Holistic Ecosystem’ for the building developed by Reddy Interiors focusing on key deliverables– 1. User focused Data Driven Design, 2. Sustainability, 3. Inclusivity and Diversity, 4. Wellness, 5. Biophilic Design, 6. Conservation, 7. New Technologies, 8. Capacity 9. Budget 10. Programming for a live building. The project involved intense end user engagement through student surveys (600+ returned responses) and a Steering Group Committee review. This user focused engagement enabled us to develop a design solution that meets the emerging needs of students today. The survey format was structured to gauge % preference use of 7 different Study Mode Study Mode Settings (an original concept devised by Reddy A+U Interiors) across the academic year from project work to exam preparation time. We engaged with Occupational Therapist Linda Horgan to create Study Mode 6 and 7, a pre study Transition Space and a Sensory Study Room. These spaces are Neurodiversity Spaces for students with specific sensory sensitivity and built environment needs. They facilitate people who have challenges in self-regulation and focus so they can engage in study with equal opportunity and support. These neurodiverse spaces were not zoned to a particular floor or sign posted in an ‘us’ and ‘them’ way. Instead, we agreed to pepper these spaces in smaller capacities across all floors, just like another gradation of our general study mode spaces. This reduces any perceived stigma in using these spaces and ultimately makes them more inclusive.