Sberbank University Library interior concepts

The Sberbank Corporate University Library houses unique publications and serves as a hub for passionate individuals. It is designed to meet the highest modern standards, and therefore, the space’s appearance should also employ unconventional solutions. Several design concepts for the library’s interiors were developed in the studio.

A key design element is the ceiling panels, shaped like book pages. These panels are positioned directly above the seating areas, alternating in the same pattern as the chairs in the hall. This creates an impressive visual rhyme, making the books in the virtual classroom as much a part of the event as the people themselves.

Real printed books are arranged on shelves against the back wall. The audience is surrounded by books on all sides, enhancing the fusion of human and book images.

The connection between humans and books is a central theme throughout the concept. Just as books, people accumulate, store and transmit knowledge, and similarly, they either fully dedicate themselves to one pursuit or know virtually everything about the world.

Low bookshelves are combined with a multi-tiered podium for the audience. As one enters the labyrinth of knowledge, they surround themselves with information, seeking for a way out.

The elevated seating tiers symbolize progress toward new heights and serve a practical function by providing viewers and listeners with a comfortable view of the entire library space.

The arrangement of the shelves also evokes the image of a vortex, which draws in all visitors as soon as they step into the library. Transformable walls and partitions “expand” the space, and the spiral pulls the audience deeper. Curved light fixtures amplify the sense of rotation.

The space is divided into two parts. One of them is light and airy, with soft, rounded forms, while the other is calm and strict yet emanating warmth and coziness. This contrast reflects the relationship between humans and nature in an innovative future. The contrast is also emphasized by the functionality of the space: the atmosphere becomes more relaxed as one moves closer to the window.

The space can be adapted for various formats of work: on a blackboard, with a projector, printer or with the use of multifunctional furniture. It is equally convenient for lectures, masterclasses or individual study.

The space is divided to preserve a clear contrast between the zones despite their similar functions. Both areas serve as transmitters of knowledge and are deliberately placed next to each other, equally attracting the attention of visitors. The interior demonstrates that the best results are achieved at the intersection of different fields through the combination of various methods.

The virtual classroom contrasts with the traditional library. This is highlighted by the color palette and materials: tradition is represented by wood, live plants, paper and warm light, while innovation is embodied in metal, glass and cool lighting.

The design shows that new educational methods won’t replace the familiar engagement with books, but they can certainly complement each other. The best textbook won’t replace the experience of collective learning; it will extend it. To travel from the past to the future, you don’t need a time machine— you just need to take one step forward.

Books are everywhere—in the shelves along the walls, in the multi-level atrium and in hanging bookcases—demonstrating that knowledge is always close at hand. Shelves positioned at various levels create a unique atmosphere, reminiscent of an amphitheater, where readers enjoy books and relax in comfort.

Multi-level lighting allows for adjustments depending on the situation.

Round portals, integrated into the design of the shelves, allow readers to peer into the next rows of bookshelves, visually expanding the space and enhancing the sense of openness.

Open spaces make it possible to place groups of soft modular furniture and various configurations of tables or chairs.

At the same time, the library remains multifunctional and can easily transform for different formats: lectures, seminars, broadcasts and other forms of education.

Hidden screens with projectors provide opportunities for interactive presentations and effective audience engagement.

In the café, filled with greenery and books, a cozy and pleasant atmosphere of continuous knowledge exchange is maintained. This is the concept chosen by the client.

The multifunctional, adaptive space includes various locations, each with a different purpose and scale. Together, they create a cohesive ecosystem with a variety of convenient services.

Mobile partitions made of frameless glass and low semicircular bookshelves allow the space to be reconfigured according to the needs of visitors. The library, lecture hall and group study room can be combined in various ways within the same space.

In the central zone, a special sliding mechanism is created, and the dominant feature of the space becomes a circular “smart” auditorium with a large panoramic screen. This auditorium forms a kind of energy field around itself that attracts visitors’ attention and inspires them to invent and implement new ideas.

The energy field is emphasized by circular lighting on the ceiling. Colored accents in the otherwise white space symbolize ideas that burst into the inert world, making it come alive with new colors.