August University of Galway celebrates planning approval for new Learning Commons

University of Galway has warmly welcomed planning approval for a new Learning Commons at the heart of its city campus. 

The proposed development will create an exciting new, sustainable, modern, iconic building which will be home to the library of the future. 

University of Galway’s Learning Commons will replace the existing Library and offer a new, high-tech space of learning and creativity with a focus on providing access to books, information and the latest learning technologies for student teaching and learning, for research and for staff.

President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “Values are the bedrock of University of Galway’s strategic plan – openness, excellence, respect, sustainability. Libraries are central to the life of, and learning in universities, and our new leabharlann will be a ‘lárlann’ in the concrete and conceptual life of our university, a manifestation of our values for the public good.  

“We are delighted that we have secured planning permission for a development that will be a new, state-of-the-art, focal point for our students, staff and visitors. 

“We wish to be good neighbours and the level and standard of planning and engagement that has gone into our proposal for a new Learning Commons is a model of engagement. Enormous credit goes to our colleagues who have led and driven it, and for the manner in which they have worked with consultants, as well as stakeholders in our university and in our wider community. We are also grateful to the planners in Galway City Council for working with us in bringing our vision to this stage of its fruition.”

University of Galway’s current Library was constructed in 1973 and sits at the heart of the Hardiman Building in the centre of the South Campus. The most recent major redevelopment in the Library took place in 1999.

The proposed new Learning Commons development will be located off Distillery Road, immediately south of the University’s Sports Centre.

John Cox, University of Galway Librarian, said: “The vision for the Learning Commons is for community building and collaborative engagement across disciplines. This ambition maximises technological and intellectual resources in order to address challenges which exceed the capacity of any one discipline, for example climate change, sustainability and disease control, challenges which are central to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”

Niamh Burke, Director with RKD Architects, said: “We have worked closely with the University to create a piece of civic architecture that sits comfortably within the unique campus setting along an important city vista. The form is simple in its massing, with the creation of a glass lantern to the river Corrib, signalling the building’s presence. Internally the study spaces are designed to optimise the impressive views out to the Corrib and wider city context.” 

The Learning Commons, designed by RKD Architects, is a building ranging in height from four to six storeys with study space, including quiet, individual and collaborative areas; spaces for exhibitions; digital creativity; Makerspace, digital scholarship centre; areas dedicated to research/postgraduate study, teaching and events, community engagement and welcome zone, helpdesk, collections, book processing; Bookbot; student wellbeing including sensory, relaxation and outdoor spaces.

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