Redesigning for Biculturalism
Bibliotheca at
Nan Hua High School
Influenced by the school’s strong bicultural emphasis, Nan Hua High School’s library is a beautiful library with subtle design features influenced by Chinese elements, as well as programming and literature that promotes the learning of Chinese culture.
Completed in late 2022, the library was brought together by Mr Seow Joo Chuan and Ms Yang Wei, who worked together to achieve their desired library. Despite a tight budget, they were able to create a library that is a stunning showcase of innovative solutions.
Zoning a Two-Storey Library
Pre-renovation entrance area
New welcome area is much brighter and includes television looping student-created videos
Recreational space for students to relax and hang out
The process of revamping the school library began in late 2021, with discussions regarding the usage of the double-story space happening up until June of 2022, when renovations began.
Working with a pre-existing space meant that the segmentation of zones plays an important role in the creation of a conducive environment for the various activities students partake in within the library.
Closer to the entrance, there is an expectation that students tend to be noisier, engaging in group activities accompanied by chatting.
It’s a bit noisy, especially during recess time. The students like to play and talk. But as long as the level of noise is not too high, I can accept it. I don’t expect silence. A library cannot be so silent.
Mdm May Tan, Library Assistant
Quiet corners for solitary reading
Study sections on level 1
Bookshelves separate the noisy from the quiet zone, ensuring students can study or read, undisturbed.
Pre-renovation second storey
Stage area
Movable furniture
Before the renovation, the second storey of the library was an area meant solely for studying. Furnished only by study tables and carrels, the atmosphere felt drab.
The furniture was also carefully chosen to fit the needs of a multi-purpose space, being easily movable. When not in use for special events, the second floor is an area meant for studying.
The second level of the library was transformed into a multi-purpose space. A beautiful stage area was built on the second floor for performances, classes, talks, and many more kinds of activities to be held within the library. The stage area has been well thought out, with the wall painted in a colour to support projection for movie screenings or meetings. A movable stand allows presenters mobility while presenting.
Tight Budgeting with a Fresh Mindset
Redesigning a Library on a Budget
In-built wall furniture and purchased furniture are combined to create a space for relaxing
Comfortable high-backed armchairs support cosy reading
Faux wall plants bring some green into the school library
The renovation and refurbishment of the library was not a one-step process of hiring a designer to create the final look. Having a tight budget meant that the team could not outsource the entire process to a professional design team and had to work together to achieve the desired outcome.
Rather than settling for less with the budget they had, the teachers chose to break the process into several parts, opting to select certain furnishings and elements by themselves. This way, the final look thus becomes something more personal to the school’s identity.
Students and staff are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing where they wish to situate themselves according to their moods and intentions. All these were results of careful curation by the teachers in charge of the library, fitted to the general needs and wants of the school population.
If you have a limited budget, it takes a bit more effort to achieve a consistent look. We’ll go to Ikea, test the chairs to find the correct colour and do things like that, so it’s really a more personal touch. If you just get a renovator, they will throw everything in for you, but that look might not be what you really want… we did everything to get a look we would prefer.
Mr Seow Joo Chuan, HOD/Bicultural Programme (双文化部主任)
Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Designs
Sustainability in action - old but sturdy metal shelves are refurbished for a more contemporary look
To save on cost, the library team had to evaluate what could be re-used. Having decided that the old metal bookshelves were sturdier and more sustainable for long term-usage, the library coordinators came up with an innovative solution together with the designers to line the sides of the shelves with wood grain vinyl sidings, changing the facade to better fit the aesthetics of the library.
White book display and acrylic holders were also added to the side of the bookshelves to to foreground new books and invite students to discover fresh titles.
Spaces for Collaboration
Movable furniture with writable space for brainstorming in the discussion room
A wall divider and another group set up allows a second group to work in the same space
Instead of tearing down the existing librarian’s workroom, the team decided to repurpose the workspace into a discussion room for the scool population by adding in a dividing wall to create separate spaces for teachers. Whiteboards provide writing surface for easy brainstorming.
A Library Built for Biculturalism
Unique Design Features
Quote by Confucius featured on the second floor
Subtle yet beautiful chinese-inspired wall designs
Chinese idiom on level 1 reading tree
Wall outside library featuring famous Western and Chinese authors
As one of the eleven Special Assistance Plan (SAP) secondary schools across Singapore, Nan Hua High School prides itself on providing students with an immersive multicultural education. This is reflected visually in the library. The design of the library, from the details on the walls to the furnishing present within the space, tastefully reflects the identity and mission of the school to promote biculturalism.
We told our contractor that we didn't want the Chinese elements to be so in your face. So the Chinese elements are present in subtle things the design of the corners, the 十年树木，百年树人 (It takes ten years to nurture a tree, but a hundred years to train a man) and the Confucius quotes upstairs.
Ms Yang Wei, Teacher/ English and Literature Department
Specially Curated Literature Collection
Chinese magazines on repurposed metal shelves
English and Chinese books get equal attention
With an emphasis placed on promoting the Chinese language, the unique point of this library is its extensive collection of Mandarin books that take up about half of the literature collection. It is a deliberate effort to ensure that at least half of the literature selection is mandarin books, encouraging the appreciation of the language.
The literature collection in the library is based on student and teacher recommendations, with the library coordinators personally selecting the books from a variety of sources ranging from big-name bookstores to smaller local shops. Each and every book is hand-picked to fit the interests of the school population as well as the trends.
A substantial number to Chinese literature is constantly on display around the library
We are a SAP school. One of our duties is to promote the learning of Chinese language and Chinese culture. So we have a more substantial collection for Chinese books compared to other schools.
Mr Seow Joo Chuan
Supporting Biculturalism through Library Programming
Students playing Chinese chess during their break
The library is a showcase for Chinese arts and culture
The library boasts and promotes an array of activities related to Chinese culture, such as having a set of Chinese Chess available for students to enjoy.
Appreciation of arts and culture is also encouraged within the space, with rotating books and craft on display.
Biculturalism Champions are students who are elected to promote biculturalism. As part of school library programme, the Biculturalism Champions have been getting increasingly involved. Activities organised so far include creating presentations encouraging reading, and designing posters to recommend books to the school population.
Designing for Students
Student Wellbeing in Focus
Mental wellness area with comfortable furniture and related books
Research have shown that the library supports student wellbeing, as it is a non-judgemental environment where they can choose to relax alone or with friends.
In line with the library being a place for comfort for the students, a positive affirmation corner has been set up, with books related to mental wellbeing specially selected and brought in and displayed in that corner. Comfortable furniture allow students to lounge around.
Future-ready Libraries
Future-ready libraries support student collaboration, studying and wellbeing
Libraries in the 21st century need to embrace the multi-faceted roles they play to develop the skills and dispositions towards reading, research, collaboration, study and doing. By taking into account the school’s identity and mission, the library then becomes a place where students can take the initiative to take interest in and embody the values of biculturalism. Nan Hua High School’s library is a perfect example of how limited resources were made use of to go above and beyond expectations, creating a place that works best for their students and their needs.
I rather like (the library), because personally, I’m more fluent in Chinese, so I hope the school has more Chinese elements. I feel like there is because there seems to be Chinese books and also English books, so it’s a good mixture.
Shiyi, Secondary 3 student
Editor's note - The names of the students appearing in this article have been replaced with pseudonyms.