In Tamparuli, Sabah, the local library held untapped potential. With limited access to well-designed public learning spaces, locals have to travel one-way for about 1 hour to the state library located at the city centre.

• The children, librarians, and parents of this semi-rural town voiced a shared dream: to have a space that is not only accessible, but also reflected who they were and how they learned for who they want to become.

What followed was a participatory process involving 20 community members.

• Students co-created visuals
• Librarians opened their space for co-design workshops
• Parents pledged time and care

Supported by the State Library Department and guided by a learning environments designer, the team moved through four phases—from onboarding to listening and imagining to prototyping and now implementing.

With only RM1,300 in hand for realisation, we are at the final mile of turning this space into a beacon of collective agency.

Ruang2Gather: Tamparuli isn’t just about one library—it is aspired to be a replicable model for rural transformation, one rooted in collaboration, commitment, care, and cultural relevance.

From the early phases, Ruang2Gather: Tamparuli is already generating effects. Youth participation has grown, with students contributing ideas and stories for the space.

The co-design workshop was hosted in the small library even without LCD screens, making use of makeshift projection screen from white cloths hung between two shelves, showing what's possible without necessarily needing lavish upgrades. Parent volunteers are more involved than ever, ready to not only make use of the space once it is completed, but voicing out their willingness to be part of the revamp.

The project builds long-term community capacity through:

• Spatial literacy – empowering youth and librarians to shape their environment.
• Ownership & pride – fostering a sense of belonging and care for public space.
• Local replication – inspiring nearby towns to adopt the model through peer sharing.

We aim to scale Ruang2Gather as a design process—not a mere product.

With the State Library's support, we see potential for other rural districts across Sabah to adopt similar participatory transformations, reducing dependency on large-scale architectural interventions and enabling more equitable access to quality learning environments.

Ruang2Gather: Tamparuli is led by a collaborative team that brings design expertise, grassroots connection, and community care to the table.

• Syaza Suraini – A learning environment designer and researcher focused on equitable access to well-designed learning spaces. Syaza is the founder of Malaysian Learning Spaces (MYLES), a volunteer-led community driven initiative to improve learning spaces in Malaysia.
• Laila Razip -  Laila initiates and oversees the planning and implementation of Ruang2Gather projects, particularly the one in Tamparuli. Laila is a dedicated mother of two who believes in the need for an exciting and engaging learning environment for her children.
• Syaza Sauli - Syaza advocates for a learning environment that is rooted in play-based and nature connectedness.
• Dr. Fadzila Aziz - Senior lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia focusing on outdoor and children's learning environments.
• Aisyah Ajib - An architect and educator bringing her combined industry and education experience.
• Shawn Stanly - Award-winning educator bringing passion for student learning.
• Tamparuli Librarians – Custodians of the space and key liaisons for community trust.
• Parent Volunteers & Students – Helped shape the design, created visual content, and voiced needs for inclusive learning zones.

So far, we have also secured support and interest from an individual sponsor, Nur Adilla Abd Rahim, the Sabah State Library Department and informal partners such as designers, architects and engineers offering knowledge.