Based on recommendations from the ISAC (International Student Advisory Committee), we’ve transformed the BoYL community space – originally created as part of an inclusion project for international students – into a student-centered, inclusive community space that supports mental well-being, expanding it with new areas that offer a variety of opportunities for all our visitors to recharge.
Next to the coat check, a carpeted relaxation zone with beanbag chairs is available to readers, made even more pleasant by immersive ceiling projections. We have relocated the vending machines from the lobby to the section near the kitchen, expanding both their selection and capacity, so that the room now serves physical and mental rejuvenation.
In addition to the former BoYL space, we have created two new communal spaces with direct access to the original room, which has expanded the available space by 30 seats. The furniture in the new rooms can be rearranged flexibly, suitable for both individual and group study, as well as for organising community programmes. In the smaller room, we have created additional group study areas, featuring reading materials that support students’ mental well-being, learning effectiveness, and sustainability awareness. The larger, circular room – equipped with an interactive display – will serve as a bookable venue for classes, student events, and other programs (e.g., a film club).
The official opening of the new community spaces will take place on 17 September 2026, as part of a conference organised to mark the 150th anniversary of the building’s opening; we warmly welcome all interested parties to attend. We welcome additional suggestions for acquiring academic literature via the “INeedABook” section of our website. We wish everyone a pleasant and enriching experience!