OVERVIEW

Serota has gained a reputation for fulfilling even the most challenging of library design briefs. With over 100 years' experience of manufacturing and fitting, the company is noted for creating fine furniture that is in keeping with its surroundings, from refurbishment projects in listed buildings through to the most contemporary of designs.

CONTACT INFO

Tiffin School Academy

  • Type of Project: Library / Learning Resource Centre
  • Key Sector: Academia
  • Commissioned: 2004
  • Architect: IID
  • Location: Kingston-upon-Thames

Michael Serota is meticulous about design, detail and delivering on time. He helped us create a beautiful and highly usable library that will last for many years. His attention to detail is incredible and we would never entrust our furniture needs to anyone else.

Lyn Foden, Librarian, Tiffin School Academy

Background

Tiffin School is an academy situated in Kingston-upon-Thames with around 1,000 pupils on the school roll. The library is housed in the Dempsey Centre within the school grounds. The building is circular in shape and comprises a huge downstairs library with a fully computerised classroom on the floor above.

The Challenge

Tiffin School planned a new Learning Resource Centre which would be built from scratch. Because of its circular shape, the building needed bespoke, custom-made furniture to suit the curves.

The Solution

Serota produced a proposal for the design of the library and along with input from Lyn Foden, the librarian, the architects drew up the plans.

Serota built and delivered shelving, tables, main library console, tables for the lecture theatre, media racks, plan chests and periodical sections exactly to schedule. Additional facilities were also incorporated for the disabled.

Lyn Foden stated "The furniture Serota produced looks fabulous. We can't recommend Serota highly enough".

Observations

The Learning Resource Centre houses 16,000 items including DVDs and other types of reusable media. The library is well-used and welcomes around 3,000 users every week.

The school became an academy in 2011.

Serota. Over 100 years' experience of bespoke furniture craftsmanship & design