A {tag:studenci}, an architecture student at Wroclaw University of Technology, won the international BookMark 2.0 competition organized by the UNI platform. The challenge was to design a modular library and reading room for children that could be built in rural regions of India. Rural Bookmark, the Polish woman's winning project, is a safe space built in stages, providing a place for education and a local cultural center.
The task of the BookMark 2.0 competition was to create a library for both analog and digital collections, a place that promotes education and its easy access for the local community. Participants were to design a facility with an easy scheme, simple to use and durable. They were to consider economic, socio-cultural and environmental aspects. The organizers asked for the use of local materials and construction techniques, as well as simple, economical construction, so that the designed facility would fit in with its surroundings.
In addition to the library and reading room space, the project was to offer, among other things, space for play and activities
© Justyna Pater
The village library was to have an extensive offer of activities, which could take place in multifunctional spaces. The competition design was to be built in the village of Kalasar in Rajasthan , India, but the organizers wanted a universal modular design that could be replicated in similar locations around the world.
The modularity of the building allows it to be built in different locations
© Justyna Pater
Main Prize for a Polish student
The works submitted from around the world were judged by a three-member jury consisting of: Manoj Patel (Manoj Patel Design Studio), Meeta Jain (Meeta Jain Architects), Sandeep Khosla (Khosla Associates). They awarded the Grand Prize and four honorable mentions. The winner was the Rural Bookmark project by Justyna Pater. The concept is also an engineering work done under the direction of Dr. Eng. arch. Anna Bać prof. at the Wroclaw University of Technology.
Based on the analysis carried out for the designed building, I determined additional functions. The library at the site is to be a local cultural center, whose main goal is to encourage children to complete their education, which can provide them with a better future. In addition, the site is also intended to help women who, due to a lack of proper education, are unable to take up employment or are experiencing difficulties in their daily lives. In exchange for help with childcare, they could participate in classes to develop their skills, the award-winning author explains.
The library is intended to be a local cultural center and a place where women can further their education
© Justyna Pater
modular library
According to the competition guidelines, the library's design was to be buildable in other regions, which is why it consists of modular and repeating elements. Their simple design makes it possible to change the material from which they are built, depending on the local raw materials available. In India, traditional building materials are used, which vary from region to region. These are most commonly brick, wood, concrete, stone, bamboo, straw with clay. In Kalasar, where the library would be built, the local material is fired brick.
The building consists of modular and repetitive elements
© Justyna Pater
The form of the entire building is shaped in multiple stages. In the process of creating the library, it is important to involve the villagers, so the author envisaged phasing the construction so that the building would be used from the initial stage of its implementation. The stages of construction are: transportation of the roof structure and WiFi transmitter, construction of the roof and transportation of the temporary library, operation of the mobile library, construction of the modular library from local materials, operation of the main library and temporary library, completion of construction.
The construction was divided into stages
© Justyna Pater
In India, lack of access to water is a common problem, so the designed building was equipped with systems for obtaining water from various sources - a system for collecting rainwater from the roof and a system of dew and mist catchers.
The building was made mainly of fired brick
© Justyna Pater
education and culture
The functional layout is constructed so that the space is open and does not separate humans from nature. Modular rooms are arranged around a courtyard. The first floor is an educational space, housing classrooms, a reading room with a library, administration, a dining room and toilets. In the center is a covered cour tyard as an open space where meetings or cultural events can take place.
The first floor is a place for creative activities
© Justyna Pater
The second floor has a covered terrace as a place for creative activities such as dance, sculpture and painting. There is also a modular activity room. The spatial layout of the building is flexible and shaped by users, who can adapt it to their needs. When the building does not have enough space to store book collections, or another room is needed, it is possible to build a terrace by duplicating the room module.
The spatial layout of the building is flexible
© Justyna Pater
The library was designed to meet all the needs of the residents. In addition to its primary function of storing books, it becomes a local cultural center and supports children and women to continue their education. It is a safe place in the countryside that provides opportunities for everyone," Justyna Pater concludes.
