With the advent of digital technology, many predicted the demise of the traditional library entirely. But architects and designers are helping to reimagine its role for the 21st century. Today’s libraries are all-round community hubs where you can catch a gig, brainstorm with entrepreneurs, take in an exhibition and possibly even (whisper it) read a book.
The new Dlr Lexicon in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland, embodies this idea. Carr Cotter Naessens has created ‘a knowledge hub for books and digital media, a place where the whole community can feel at home,’ says Louise Cotter. As well as a library, the building includes an art gallery, workshop, studio theatre and café, and facilities such as 3D printing machines.
Here, we step inside other buildings across the world that are driving the library’s evolution.
Stormen – Bodø, Norway
Two buildings – a library and a three-auditorium concert hall – make up Stormen: a new cultural quarter in the remote Norwegian city of Bodø. DRDH architects conceived the library as a ‘living room’ for city’s 50,000 residents. ‘Our hope is that it becomes the public space of Bodø in the six months of the year the community doesn’t want to be outside,’ says co-director Daniel Rosbottom.
Photography: David Grandorge
Stormen – Bodø, Norway
Facing out to the sea, the 6,300 sq m library’s open internal landscape includes a reading space that doubles as a performance area, as well as a gallery, and cafe.
Photography: David Grandorge
Stormen – Bodø, Norway
DRDH have also created a new streetscape for this central part of Bodø by placing the cafe and gallery on the ground floor, and by cutting away corners of the building to create outside areas.
Photography: David Grandorge
The Library of Birmingham, UK
Danish firm Mecanoo’s £189 million project welcomed 2.4 million visitors in 2014, making it the tenth most popular tourist attraction in the UK.
Photography: Christian Richters
The Library of Birmingham – Birmingham, UK
Its decorative, ringed facade divides opinion – much like the library’s John Madin-designed, Brutalist predecessor – but, with the addition of gardens and terraces, a gallery, a business and learning centre and an amphitheatre, alongside a stunning central book rotunda, it’s easy to see why it’s been such a remarkable success since opening in 2013.
Photography: Christian Richters
The Library of Birmingham – Birmingham, UK
Like with many libraries across the UK, however, funding issues have led to a reduction in opening hours and potential job losses.
Photography: Christian Richters
‘City of Books’ at La Ciudadela, Mexico City, Mexico
At this renovation of an 18th century building (a library since 1946) in Mexico City, local firm Taller 6A have created a combined book shop and exhibition space lined with wooden boxes from floor to ceiling.
Photography: Bernardo Gomez-Pimienta
‘City of Books’ at La Ciudadela, Mexico City, Mexico
The intention is to create a feeling of being inside the bookshelves. The library’s two small existing retail units, being the only bookshops in the busy local area, have been relocated to the main entrance, and the conversion of one to a children’s bookshop allows parents and children to browse simultaneously.
Photography: Jaime Navarro
‘City of Books’ at La Ciudadela, Mexico City, Mexico
Originally constructed as a Royal Tobacco Factory for Spain, it has also been a military headquarter, prison, weapons factory, school. In 1946, it became the first public library in Mexico. Now, in addition to supplying books, it is one of Mexico’s finest event spaces.
Photography: Jaime Navarro
The Pinch, Shuanghe, China
Libraries have always had children’s play areas but how many have incorporated that space into the structure of the building itself? Jon Lin and Olivier Ottevaere – along with students from the University of Hong Kong – have created an award-winning library and community centre in earthquake-damaged Shuanghe, in Yunnan Province, that does just that.
Photography courtesy of The Pinch / Olivier Ottevaere and John Lin
The Pinch, Shuanghe, China
The building’s sloping timber roof doubles as a playground and walkway.
Photography courtesy of The Pinch / Olivier Ottevaere and John Lin
The Pinch, Shuanghe, China
We hope there’s at least one how-to-guide for removing splinters in the library’s collection.
Photography courtesy of The Pinch / Olivier Ottevaere and John Lin
Calgary Central Library and Plaza, Calgary, Canada
While the closest recreational or social space to a railway station is often a rather tired looking pub, the commuters of Calgary can look forward to a brand new library and plaza courtesy of Snøhetta and local firm Dialog, come 2018.
Calgary Central Library and Plaza, Calgary, Canada
Their design will encase an existing Light Rail Transit Line, with the local station a short walk away, and create a new civic outdoor space leading into the library itself.
Calgary Central Library and Plaza, Calgary, Canada
Lengthy consultation with residents revealed the importance of accessibility and orientation – you’ll find no dank, gloomy corridors or corners here.
