The café in the Gothenburg City Library

One of Gothenburg’s most iconic buildings, the City Library, was in need of a comprehensive transformation, both inside and out. We were given the opportunity to help create a well-functioning café where people can meet, talk, enjoy a cup of coffee – and read.

Higab had a clear vision: the new café at Gothenburg City Library wouldn’t just serve food — it would become a social hub. They wanted a kitchen that could handle both hot and cold dishes and a smaller coffee bar near the newspaper area on the entrance floor. That way, visitors could drop in, grab a coffee, sit down, and read. The result is a well-functioning and welcoming library for the contemporary visitor. Someone who knows that a library visit can be about much more than just books.

“It was an exciting project, and it was very interesting to work with such a well-known and well-loved building. It’s one of Gothenburg’s most recognisable landmarks and plays a big role in many people’s daily lives,” says Claire Rankin, Studio Director of  Tengbom’s Restaurant and Commercial Kitchen Studio.

Good process yields strong results at Gothenburg City Library

A project of this scale naturally attracted attention and received extensive media coverage. Since its reopening in April 2014, the library has remained highly popular and draws many visitors.

The Commercial Kitchen Studio became involved early in the process, thanks to Tengbom’s long-standing collaboration with the city. A strong partnership with Erséus Arkitekter — the firm behind the refurbishment and extension — made the difference. Together, we ensured a result that combines aesthetic quality with well-functioning processes and flows

“Our task is to ensure that guests at the café enjoy a pleasant experience while also creating a good working environment for the staff. We start by reviewing all technical conditions, flows, and spatial dimensions so that we can accommodate the client’s intentions. Then we plan for seamless functionality of electrical and other systems. Moreover, we must, of course, ensure that food handling is done correctly, both on its way to and from the guests,” says Claire Rankin.

“All projects are different, but we are prepared for everything. In this particular project, for example, we had to pay special attention to goods deliveries. They needed to flow smoothly and without disturbance, even though the café is located on the third floor, right in the middle of the building”.

Claire Rankin

A true team player

The café rests on the broad expertise of the Commercial Kitchen Studio. That foundation continues to support and shape its development. Every detail — from workflow design to material choices — has been carefully planned to create a workspace that supports staff in their daily routines. With a secure and well-structured environment, they can focus on what matters most: delivering an exceptional experience for visitors.

For the Gothenburg City Library, we developed a tailor-made solution to meet their unique needs. But the project goes further than that. By drawing on the experience and versatility of the Commercial Kitchen Studio, the library now benefits from intelligent solutions that simplify everyday work for staff. At the same time, these solutions help create an environment that feels functional, contemporary and welcoming to everyone. The result is a cohesive whole, where each element works together to elevate both the workplace and the visitor experience.