While Jorge Luis Borges saw the library as a universe, Ursula le Guin called it a sacred place for a community; if only because of the essential role they played in history as bastions of knowledge. In a world of rising inequalities, spaces like libraries ensure information remains accessible to all. While knowledge seems more accessible than ever in a world where Google is a verb, we must recognise the definition of libraries as spaces for the community, a sacredness defined by publicness. In today’s world, not only does how we read and access information evolve, but we must question how libraries can continue to serve their purpose as a space for all.

In response to this question, SUMA Arquitectura—the winners of this year’s Mies van der Rohe Awards for Emerging Architecture, in reference to their winning design for the Gabriel Garcia Marquez Library in Barcelona—had this to say, “In today's digital age, we believe libraries play an essential role as multifunctional spaces that go beyond housing books. They are dynamic hubs for community engagement, learning and access to a variety of resources, both digital and physical. As architects, we have witnessed first-hand with projects like the Gabriel García Márquez Library how libraries can act as catalysts for urban renewal, fostering a sense of community and inclusion.” If libraries are to evolve with the digital age, the programme and spatial layout of the library design by the Spanish architects presents a notable case study, for how it goes beyond its function to embrace and engage with the local community.

The construction of the library, located in Sant Martí—a district in Barcelona with a working-class population—was part of a three-decade plan by BIMSA-Barcelona City Council to create facilities in the city that serve as social catalysts for the districts they are located in. The cultural building through its diverse functions responds to this and creates a welcoming environment that invites passersby into its “ecosystem” (as the architects call it). Apart from the library design, SUMA Arquitectura replicated the chaflán or the typical Barcelona urban block to create a plaza, integrating the library design with the street while also countering the disadvantages of a dense urban setting. The integration of the library with the square was meant to revitalise the urban area, offering a space for community gatherings and events. As the Spanish architects mention to STIR, the idea was to create a space that would double not only as a cultural icon but also as a community hub.

As a purported cultural icon, the design takes a sculptural form, with pleats and folds informing the façade design to resemble open book stacks. This origami-like façade employs wood sourced from FSC or PEFC-certified forests and recycled fibreglass in prefabricated elements, adding to the sustainable design parameters of the scheme. It takes its form not only to create a strong visual statement but also to take into account the structural requirements, lighting conditions of the space, its character, the functional programme and urban links. Such a holistic approach to the design is evident throughout the project. While the façade is dynamic, it also creates a sense of porosity through strategically designed glass panels, further enhancing the welcoming nature of the public library.

As one enters the “cathedral of books” from the plaza, one is greeted by an inner atrium that acts as a visual connector and activator of the different functions on the five levels of the building. This central, triangular space helps direct the flow of the library’s occupants, while also acting as a solar chimney facilitating natural ventilation inside the building. Moreover, the use of skylights and the porous façade that lets in natural light creates a warm, inviting atmosphere, reducing the dependence on artificial lighting and enhancing the passive performance of the project.

The different functions in the library architecture are differentiated by two cores of which the atrium is one; the enclosed spaces with the most demanding acoustic activities, such as the multipurpose room, radio, group work areas, children's areas, internal work areas and laboratories are grouped together, and the open spaces, such as consultation, reading and study areas, that create a sense of lightness to the design through sheer virtue of expansiveness are grouped separately.

The design process, in updating the traditional functions of the library also involved a lot of research, a process that was integrated into the final structure, as the designers mention. Elaborating, they say, “This process began by questioning how a library should function in the 21^st century, especially in the face of digital alternatives that challenge traditional public and workspace environments. Our team at SUMA Arquitectura conducted programmatic research to explore and redefine the interactions between architecture, the book collection, staff, and users. This led to the creation of diverse, ecosystem-based spaces designed to offer irreplaceable experiences that digital mediums cannot replicate.”

All good libraries ought to cater to different functions and needs. Here, the architects attempted to include several “ecosystems” where a visitor may sit and relax, engage in conversation and communal gatherings, or sit and read in peace in different spaces. Elaborating on these spaces, they say, “Specifically, the library features areas such as the Agora-Showcase at the entrance, providing a reconfigurable space for interaction and display and the Forum of Ideas, which accommodates various meeting types with adaptable seating and table arrangements. The Reading Palace allows for personalised reading experiences, from cosy sofas to outdoor-like settings with rocking chairs and hammocks. Each space was designed to enhance the user's sensory and intellectual engagement, making the library a complex landscape of cultural encounters.”

While highlighting the community-oriented aspects of the design was one of the goals for the architects, libraries are also complex structures that require certain environments. When asked how they ensured the design met specific criteria necessary for libraries, the architects stressed their design approach and prior research, speaking about including state-of-the-art temperature control systems to ensure the longevity of these materials under varying climatic conditions. Apart from this, the differentiation of spaces for individual study and collaborative projects and the integration of digital and traditional reading spaces meant that the library remains a relevant and supportive resource in the digital age, providing a range of services that extend beyond traditional book lending to include digital access and community engagement. Apart from the programme, the quality of the interior spaces also adds to a welcoming atmosphere with the choice to use warm wood and glass reflecting this. While the combination of wood structure and steel elements lend to the expansive column-free spaces, the wood creates a sense of warmth and texture to the interior design.

While the design attempts to address not just the community but the complex functions of a library, the designers faced certain challenges, especially in creating a structure of prefabricated architecture that would not only open out to the community but remain introverted in its scheme as a reading space. Another challenge was creating something that would be both iconic and functional, inviting community interaction and fostering a sense of belonging. Sustainability was also a major consideration, with the design team adding, “We also pushed the boundaries of sustainable architecture by using complex wooden structures and eco-friendly materials that minimised environmental impact and the carbon footprint while maximising energy efficiency. Achieving the LEED Gold certification necessitated meticulous planning and execution, ensuring that every aspect of the library's design contributed to its sustainability goals. These challenges required us to be inventive and considerate in our approach.”

With more than 4,000 square metres distributed over five floors, the library surprises with its thoughtful and discernible design, a space that becomes a home for the community. A merge between contextual, experiential and sustainable design ensures that it is people-oriented. The design is a recognition of the power of communal spaces and how when they’re well designed can truly integrate into their surroundings. Closing on what the designers feel about the value of libraries, “Our approach emphasises designing libraries as 'Palaces for the People', where diverse community interactions are encouraged and the integration of digital and traditional media enriches the user experience. Libraries today serve as critical public squares that adapt to changing educational and social needs, making them more relevant than ever in a digitised world.”