Why St Brigid's pupils can't wait to get to the library

School spaces carry more weight than most people give them credit for. The right environment shapes how children relate to learning, and a poorly designed one can quietly undermine it. When St Brigid's RC Primary School in East Manchester wanted to raise the profile of reading, they brought in WDC Spaces to do more than redecorate. The result is a reading area that children genuinely love, and a reminder that educational design deserves the same creative rigour as any commercial interior.

Let the pupils lead

We wanted the pupils to be involved in the project from the outset, explaining to us what their ideal library would look like, how it would be organised and how they imagined they would feel when they were using it. This briefing was an invaluable opportunity for us to hear their opinions, and also gave them insights into the world of design and the processes that go with it.

A treehouse, a hideaway, a reason to read

What emerged was a treehouse concept: a reading area built within a playground-style environment, designed to feel like an escape. Quiet hideaway nooks invited children to settle in and lose themselves in a book. The design was playful without being chaotic, and purposeful without being clinical.

"It's astonishing!" - Student of St Brigid’s Primary School

During construction, a group of pupils visited local manufacturer TA Knox to see the build take shape and share their feedback. Their involvement extended to the finished space too, where they helped set up the library, selected the books on display, and encouraged their classmates to get involved.

“It shows how our school loves reading not just likes it!” – Student of St Brigid’s Primary School

School design is a performance issue

The project is a clear example of something the education sector often overlooks: children perform better in spaces designed with them in mind. Acoustic comfort, visual warmth and a sense of ownership - these are functional design outcomes, not extras. When a school environment is treated with the same intentionality as a workplace or retail space, the impact on behaviour and engagement follows.

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Let's design something that makes a difference

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