spatial practice designs competition proposal for library in varna

spatial practice designs competition proposal for library in varna
images courtesy of spatial practice
(above: varna library city view)

the municipality of varna and the chamber of architects in bulgaria invited — both bulgarian and international designers, to an open competition to create a new building for the varna regional library. the competition asked to collect under one roof, all the library’s collections that are now spread along six different buildings. also, to generate a new and active public space in the center of the city.

varna library main view

hong kong-based spatial practice studio won the third prize on this competition with a project that attempts to break the typical configuration of a library, by liberating its ground to help it become the city’s living room. in the proposal, the ‘varna public library’ grows from the existing public space network. visitors strolling along varna’s green public passage will be lead into the new building adjacent to municipality hall. the nature-belt is extended into the design, adding green pockets on every platform of the building, seamlessly integrating the landscape with the reading spaces.

varna library interior view

the library floats above the heavy concrete archives which hold varna’s vast library collection and history. using local materials for the timber mullions provide warmth, elegance, and softness to the surrounding concrete neighborhood. it also shows varna’s commitment to sustainability and recalls memories of the tradition of this local material. the project strives to become a new public living room for visitors and local residents. the rigid, flexible door plates become playful thanks to the free-flowing reading spaces at its periphery. the design embodies the idea of reading on a wooden terrace, feeling a gentle breeze while overlooking the sea.

varna library reading space

varna library urban view

varna library site plan

varna library ground floor plan

varna library plans 

varna library circulation diagram

varna library section a-a’

varna library section b-b’

project info:

location: varna, bulgaria
program: public library
project area: 17,235 m2 (above ground) 11,000 m2 (below ground)
number of stories: 8 (above ground) 3 (below ground)
building height: 30.5m
client: municipality of varna
architect: spatial practice
project team: erik amir, dora chi, jason loo, ryo otsuka, eric yuen
render: karol borkowski