The Sorbonne University based in central Paris is the largest scientific and medical complex in the country. When leaders decided to reorganize its five university libraries into one, it brought in experts to make sure they could achieve their goals to create a coworking space fostering collaboration without losing the deep-focus spaces expected in a library setting. These two factors needed to work together in harmony all while supporting the increasing use of technology for research and project development.

Before the renovation, the space functioned, but it wasn’t a desired destination for students. Together, the Steelcase Education design team along with the university decided to offer students a variety of workspaces. Educators wanted students to have places for group meetings, training, individual work and areas to simply rest and rejuvenate. These spaces needed to be productive as well as inspirational by providing a way to book rooms, easily reach technology and produce creative group work.

As you can see in the photos taken after the renovation, the Sorbonne University library is now a vibrant coworking space promoting success by offering students choice and control over how and where they work.

For more information

For more information on next-generation learning, read A Revised Lesson Plan for Student Success.