Inspiring study environment in historic surroundings

Housed in the beautiful building from 1907, Lund Academic Library serves both as a cultural heritage library and a highly valued study environment.

There was a need to modernise the library and make the space more functional and accessible without disregarding the building’s cultural significance. It was essential to preserve the historic atmosphere and respect the building’s classical character.

The interior design therefore focused on uniting old and new, creating a harmonious and welcoming combination of library and study space. The interior has been given an entirely new colour palette inspired by the iconic building itself—reflected, among other things, in the reddish-brown furniture that matches the brickwork of the walls. The new shelving and renovated chairs have been finished in a blue‑green tone, referencing the building’s windows and the existing shelves found in the library’s storage.

The library’s public collections include book history, personal archives, map collections, and sustainability research. These have now been given a central position within the space, creating a sense of being part of a broader context that connects tradition, culture, and knowledge sharing at a prestigious university.

“The new interior design enables us to communicate a clearer picture of the Academic Library’s mission and activities within the physical space. We highlight the uniqueness of the library’s collections, convert broad cultural heritage themes into local context, and make the university’s research more visible.” - Jenny Hallström, Head of Department, Lund Academic Library

The Academic Library aims to be an arena for democratic dialogue as well as a meeting place for researchers, students, and the public. With the new interior design, it now has a strong foundation to continue working with its key priorities: research, extensive historical collections, and the communication of new knowledge.