Co-designing a Sensory Lab in the Library Makerspace: a user experience study.

Curtin Library prioritises an inclusive, flexible environment for the University’s diverse client group, offering spaces such as the Library Makerspace, parent and equity rooms, and Whadjak Malayin Maya, a dedicated space for Indigenous students. 
Feedback from the Library’s 2023 post-occupancy survey identified several sensory-related issues of concern to our clients, including high levels of light and noise throughout the TL Robertson Library building. Some clients, particularly neurodivergent individuals, reported that this decreased their comfort in the space.
In response to this, a Library project was initiated to create a room catering to the different sensory needs of our community. This proposed ‘Sensory Lab’ will be a self-managed, low-tech space dedicated to wellbeing, located within the Makerspace. It will allow Library clients to recharge, de-stress and play in a safe and comfortable environment, and will be furnished with accessible, calming, and sensory-friendly items and amenities. The Sensory Lab is designed to support student’s emotional and social wellbeing, while fostering a sense of belonging within the Library.   
Conscious that the Sensory Lab would service a range of students, user experience methods have been employed to ensure clients are at the centre of the design process. Through focus groups, surveys and drawings, clients provided feedback on ideal sensory elements such as lighting and sound, preferred furniture and amenities for stress-relief, and general comments about the space itself. This presentation will share key findings related to the Sensory Lab’s design and implementation and will outline our iterative improvement process to ensure the Lab will continue to meet student needs over time.