Students and staff had their first look at the new library at the University of Suffolk as it was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The new, modern space in the Waterfront Building, placing it at the heart of the campus and making it more accessible and central to university life, includes a refreshed book collection with more space for sub-collections including poetry and local history as well as an extensive digital library.

In addition, students will benefit from new study areas for individual and group learning as well as spaces for one-to-one appointments.

Professor Jenny Higham, Vice-Chancellor, University of Suffolk, was joined by Professor Eloise Ellis, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience, and Lee-Ann Durrant, Students’ Union President of Education, for the grand opening.

Professor Higham said: “I am delighted to welcome students and staff to explore this new, modern space. Our new library is part of a significant investment that we are making across our campus to support and improve our students’ learning experience and the official opening marks the completion of this first milestone in our ambitious campus development plans. I would like to thank all the teams that have been involved in the new library project, particularly the library services and estates teams who have worked to tight deadlines to deliver this innovative new space.”

Students will also benefit from a new sensory space next to the study areas on the first floor which has been developed in response to feedback from students who wanted a quiet space to regulate away from screens and learning environments.

In partnership with Barnes Construction, Concertus delivered a comprehensive turnkey solution. This involved extensive refurbishment work, as well as mechanical and electrical engineering, architecture, and interior design, which included a complete furniture fit-out with brand-new shelving designed specifically for the University of Suffolk’s collections.

This refurbishment injected new energy into the environment with vibrant accent walls, zoned floor finishes, and a carefully curated colour palette that is integrated into the furniture, creating a welcoming and inspiring space for study, collaboration, and learning.

Phase two of the estate development programme includes creating further postgraduate and quiet study spaces in the Waterfront Building and transforming the former library into a new home for the Students’ Union. This new Student Hub will feature informal social spaces for students, as well as bookable spaces for student societies and clubs, prayer spaces and a gym and fitness studios.

The investment also includes new facilities for the Pharmacy course in the James Hehir Building and a clinical dispensary in the Health and Wellbeing Building.

We are pleased to be developing all of these new spaces in partnership with the University of Suffolk and look forward to sharing more updates soon.