In today's installment of the "Coffee Break" series, we invite you to the magical world of books, places where you can hole up alone with your favorite reading. We present six libraries that now, in addition to creating space for books, often play a cultural role.
Scientific Information Center
and Academic Library in Katowice
It happens that student life, especially during sessions, revolves around the library. In Katowice, two universities - the Economic University and the Silesian University - have joined forces (and their collections) to create an edifice that will accommodate 1,000 people at a time. Architects from the HS99 studio are responsible for the CNiBA project.
Scientific Information Center and Academic Library in Katowice, proj.: HS99
photo: Jakub Certowicz
Raczynski Library in Poznan
Architects from the JEMS studio have almost tripled the area of the historic library building. The added modern block creates a unified background for the 19th century building. You can read more about the project here.
Raczynski Library in Poznan, proj.: JEMS Architekci
photo: Wojtek Gurak
Culture Station in Rumia
The branch of the Municipal Public Library is located in a railroad station building in Rumia (spaces for books are increasingly being arranged in train stations and shopping centers), and in 2016 was named the world's most beautiful library, winning the Library Interior Design Awards in the single-space library category. The interior of the Culture Station was designed by designers from Sikora Wnętrza studio.
Culture Station in Rumi, proj.: Sikora Wnętrza Architektura
photo: Belo Contagium
Library in Szynwald
According to the assumptions, the library in Szynwald was to be not only a lending library, but also a local cultural center, a space for exhibitions, author meetings and educational workshops. The two-story building, designed by the Kucia Tyczynski architectural studio, consists of a heavily glazed first floor and a simple, gabled-roofed first floor.
Library in Szynwald, proj.: Kucia Tyczynski Pracownia Architektoniczna
© Library in Szynwald
Public Library on Koszykowa Street in Warsaw
The modernization project of the Public Library on Koszykowa Street in Warsaw was prepared by the team of Bulanda and Mucha Architekci studio. In the A&B archives you can find Maciej Kapolka's conversation with Andrzej Bulanda about this project[here].
Modernization of the Public Library on Koszykowa Street in Warsaw, proj.: Bulanda and Mucha Architekci
© Library on Koszykowa Street
Public Library in Warsaw
Covered by a green roof, the minimalist library building was added to Warsaw's Elementary School No. 172. The library in Wesola was nominated in the competition for the Architectural Award of the President of the Capital City of Warsaw in the Best Public Building 2018 category.
Warsaw Wesola Public Library, proj.: +48 Architecture
© +48 Architecture
And you, what library projects or developments would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments.
