LIBRO

Project Libro is to design a library for Florence University School of Architecture. The site locates in Florence, Italy. This project has been designed as an extension of the existing building of Florence University School of Architecture. The name Libro is taken from the Italian word for book and has a double meaning of liberty as a wordplay.

Library, commonly understood as a quiet space for reading, is redefined as a sacred space for books in Project Libro. In this project, we understand library as a space that archives knowledge and history. A level of sanctity and sacredness should be applied to the space. Hence, the action of reading becomes a ritual action in project Libro.

A series of precedent study on ritual in sacred spaces is done to support the project idea. In the Old Sacristy of San Lorenzo, the circulation of priests’ vestment is isolated in a sacred space and partially performed to the public; for side chapels of San Andrea and Santo Spirito, the ritual of the prayers and the priest are displayed in the church to the public as well. In project Libro, we want to develop a ritual of reading in the building using similar idea: with one sacred volume in the center of the library containing action of book restoration being displayed but isolated to the public, a ritual of reading is formed.

Public circulation is designed as a loop around the restoration space. It walks through the archive space, reading space and returning book with view to both the restoration process and leisure spaces on the ground level. Restoration staff, like priest, has a private circulation isolated from the public in the center volume. A service tunnel is designed underground and connects to other libraries in Florence. The service tunnel is designed like ancient hospital in Italy which used to have underground tunnel for nurses.

The ritual emphasized in the design is that this library is a place where people have the freedom to make decisions between reading books or other activities. The displayed book restoration process is a manifesto reminding people the sacredness of knowledge and to be conscious while making their decisions.