At Quinn Evans, our work is grounded in meaningful conversations with our clients and the communities they serve. Our design process begins with listening to understand users’ aspirations and goals. We respond to these insights with functional solutions that are customized to their needs. If something doesn’t exist, we can create it.
Libraries, in particular, are places that strive to support a variety of activities and cater to a wide range of ages. From STREAM (science, technology, reading, art, and math) activity spaces for children and teens and digital media labs to small business friendly workspaces and teaching kitchens, the possible offerings for libraries are extensive. Each library serves a different purpose in its community, and our team takes the time to understand it.
In the video above, Quinn Evans principal and interior designer Shannon Wray, CID, LEED AP, shares how our collaborative approach shaped the development of a much-needed custom furniture solution for Fairfield Library in Henrico, Virginia. Created in partnership with the client and TMC Furniture, the multi-purpose workstation allows patrons to use the library’s computers while minding small children. The carrel can now be found in libraries across the country.
Curious to learn more about how we can help your library make a difference for your community? We’ll be at the Public Library Association (PLA) 2026 Conference in Minneapolis from April 1-3. Our team—Shannon, Alfredo Davalos, Ann Dilcher, Anthony Harris, and Chuck Wray—is excited to hear what’s on your mind.
Swing by Booth 220 and say hello:
- Wednesday, April 1 | 3pm-6pm
- Thursday, April 2 | 9am-5pm
- Friday, April 3 | 9am-2pm
Innovation in Action: Crafting Custom Solutions
Video Transcript
Our work on the Fairfield Area Library—the client identified an issue in their community in which there were several patrons with young children who did not have access to the internet or childcare, and they relied heavily on the library’s computer resources to do their work. And previously, those people were not well accommodated for.
So, working with the library director, Quinn Evans helped to design a custom furniture solution called the Work Play Carrel that allows adults, caregivers, and parents to be productive in the library while their infant or toddler is safely next to them. And the response to this piece of furniture has been outstanding. Surprising, really. It went viral, and the need extended far beyond this community. It's now installed in public libraries all across the United States.
Quinn Evans has a really deep commitment to understanding the context of the place and the people that we're working for. And it's only once we've kind of listened to those collective voices and individual voices that we have a hope of designing a space that's responsive and meaningful and inclusive.
