A unique partnership initiative between Worcestershire County Council and the University of Worcester; the first fully integrated and jointly-run university and local authority library.

Described as ‘ground-breaking’ in concept and design, The Hive covers 10,000 square metres of space, over five floors, and brings together a quarter of a million books, documents and archives items from the public and University libraries under one roof. It houses one of the largest children’s libraries in the country, council services, meeting rooms, study areas a shop and a cafe.

WF Education’s experience in designing public and academic libraries was integral to uniting town and gown; combining the high stock levels of a busy University library and the different needs of the general public into one space. The Architects’ sunken children’s area was developed through a series of workshops and meetings with project managers, architects and library teams to create the widely acclaimed dual purpose children’s area.

Following site visits, WF Education worked closely with the library’s Archives, Archaeology and Conservation departments to bring together archives and local history records from all over the region. As well as planning and designing special format storage and shelving and also sourced unique suppliers of specialist equipment for lab and digital conservation areas.

”It has been a joy working with WF Education both through the development and installation stages. Their attention to detail regarding requirements is second to none.” Malcolm Saxby, Galliford Try Investments.