Municipal Public Library The Book Centre

Marcin Susuł, Krzysztof StramaPoland

The Book Centre in Oświęcim is a modern and functional public library. The innovative shape and block of the building provides meeting space for all users. Function inside the library has been formed around the open spaces of communication, with no architectural barriers so that everyone going into even on the occasion can move in it freely. The building has underground parking and three levels where besides the collections for children and adults is a place for the press, multimedia, cinema halls, an Internet center, playroom for children, rooms for workshops, auditorium and galleries. The roof of library is crowned with a skylight providing natural light to its interior and the use by architects at the external facade ceramic which are also light breaker gives the rainbow reflections. In all interior dominate bright colors, architectural concrete and glass, which are the perfect backdrop for the collections.

The architects used a lot of glass for the front of the building to increase the feeling of openness. The library is equipped with two lifts and complies with all criteria of accessibility for disabled people. The object of functional systems refers to the traditional shopping center.
The library building, which can be accessed from two sides extends thought communication space with greenery, benches and pylons, places for recreation, parking and walking sequences.

Authority and authority type

Oświęcim municipality (local government)

Title of library in local language

Miejska Biblioteka Publiczna im. Łukasza Górnickiego GALERIA KSIĄŻKI w Oświęcimiu

Year of completion

2011

Address

Józefa Nojego 2B
32-600 Oświęcim

Size of library: 
5200m²

Category of library

Public Library

More info on the building

http://www.mbp-oswiecim.pl

Awards and recommended reading

Take a virtual tour of the library

Article in English

Article in Polish

Article in Polish

Architectural idea or principle

The primary project issue was how to get a book to the average citizen. The architects decided that since the public likes to spend so much free time in shopping centres, why not try to design the library as a shopping centre and 'call a spade a spade' - The Book Centre.

The building form, in the context of location, has two displayed facades (southern and northern). The main facade (southern) directed toward the driveway invites users in through its opening part which refers to a slightly open book standing on a bookshelf. The northern elevation is directed toward the main town street which is, however, quite a long distance from the library.

Furniture supplier

MARELL Sp. z o.o.

Overall Cost

€ 4.000.000
Front of building: 
Entrance: 
Back of building: 
Side of building: 
Interior: 
Special departments: 
Reading room: 
Circulation desk: 
Special features, internal: 
Special features, external: 
Blueprint: