Bjørkly bibliotek

The library replaces a closed shopping centre on the main street of the district. It is designed as a covered public room: you can walk in from the bus stop, sit down and stay for hours without anyone asking what you are doing there.

A screen of glulam slats wraps the glass facade. During the day it controls glare and gives the reading rooms some privacy from the street. At night, when the library is lit, it turns the whole building into a lantern.

Staff were part of every design stage. The quiet reading room on the mezzanine, the open workshop next to the entrance and the low shelves in the children’s area all came from user workshops.