Opportunistic incrementalism as a strategy for user driven design of library spaces

The step-by-step refurbishment of State and University Library Hamburg

Collaborative Strategies for Successful Library Design and Innovative UseOlaf EigenbrodtChicago, August 10, 2016

Opportunistic Incrementalism?The contextThe role of stakeholders and the libraryOur approach to opportunistic incrementalismUser involvement to User Centred DesignLessons learnedOutlook

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Opportunistic Incrementalism?

• Development under certain limitations• Urban development: achieving a goal step by step• Big approach – small projects (Bostick/Forrest 2013)• Flexible adjustment of pace and scale

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State and University Library Hamburg• Four buildings 1885 – 1982• Old structure listed / whole campus protected

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Building complex and complex buildings

• Each building has individual issues• No existing masterplan• Safety and security regulations• Architectural qualities• Modular but not multifaceted

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Stakeholders & patrons

• Independent state institution funded by the parliament• Responding directly to the ministry of science and research • Main library service provider for University of Hamburg• 27% of patrons are not members of any HE institution• Serving different communities with various needs

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A space for the city• Place for academic, cultural, and political events• Active part of the city's cultural and academic life• Public attention and political awareness

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Challenges & opportunities

• Responsibility vs. autonomy• Funding project by project• Concurrent building projects• Inhouse planning team • Building administration• Architects and contractors

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Our approach to opportunistic incrementalism

• No budget for a new building or a major refurbishment• Focus on maintaining structures before 2010• Isolated projects caused a messy and inconsistent appearance• Uncertainty about future needs• Small projects are easier to deal with

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New Reference and Information Centre• Launched as exemplary project in 2011• Successful layout and design• Blending the qualities of a 1970s design with an updated look & feel

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The visible and the invisible: communication

Visible projects:• Modernisation of public spaces• New guiding system• Automatisation of services• Sanitary facilities

Invisible projects:• Air conditioning• Roofs• Safety and security systems• Data wiring

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Personal benefits and identification: staff involvement

• Staff is a major driver for change as all projects affect staff• Identification requires attractive conditions• Modernisation of staff lounge and tea kitchens• New furnishing and renovation of offices step by step• Redevelopment of non-functional office space• New spaces for meetings and brainstorming

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User Involvement to User Centred Design• User involvement sneaked in• No strategic approach at the beginning• Positive reactions and good outcomes

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Method mix• Quantitative and qualitative research• Prototyping and evaluations• Creative approaches, design workshops

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• Flexible, transparent, and involving planning processes• Prototyping, evaluation, and error culture• Incidental implementation of Design Thinking

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UCD and opportunistic incrementalism

• Federal program for improving student learning space• Project started with POE and workshops for users and staff• Planning phase will be driven by UCD elements

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Example: Reading Roms

Lessons learned

• Managing different projects and interests requires flexible tools• Opportunistic incrementalism is a chance for implementing UDC• Earlier implementation of UDC would have made things easier• Collaborative processes require human resources• Importance of staff involvement

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Conclusion

• A flexible masterplan is the key to success• UDC is changing our way of planning library space• Process orientation helps us to become learning institutions• Implementation of Design Thinking is a step by step approach

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Thank you very much for your attention

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Olaf EigenbrodtState and University Library Hamburgolaf.eigenbrodt@sub.uni-hamburg.de+49-40-428383344www.sub.uni-hamburg.de facebook.com/stabihh@oskarfagelOlaf Eigenbrodt