Public Library Architecture in Sharjah: Reimagining Urban Infill as Community Green Space

Public library architecture is increasingly evolving beyond the conventional idea of enclosed knowledge repositories. In rapidly densifying cities, libraries are being redefined as civic anchors that merge learning, social interaction, and urban ecology. The Public Infill Library in Sharjah, designed by Rachel George, exemplifies this shift by transforming a constrained residential plot into a hybrid of built space and public landscape.

Shortlisted as part of Public Architecture '20, this project explores how public library design can respond to urban deficiencies while simultaneously enriching the social fabric of a neighborhood.

Urban Context and Design Strategy

Located within a dense residential block in Sharjah, the site analysis revealed a critical absence of green open space. Rather than treating the library as a standalone building, the proposal positions public library architecture as a tool for urban repair.

The design introduces a dual condition:

• A civic knowledge hub
• A much-needed public green space

This synthesis allows the project to function both as infrastructure and as landscape, addressing the environmental and social needs of the community simultaneously.

The Concept of the “Crack”

The defining architectural gesture is conceptualized as an abstract “crack” through the site. This spatial incision organizes both built and unbuilt elements, creating a dynamic interplay between solid and void.

Instead of occupying the entire plot, the building is strategically fragmented. This enables:

• Visual permeability across the site
• Natural light penetration
• Seamless integration of indoor and outdoor programs

In public library architecture, such a strategy redefines enclosure, allowing knowledge spaces to remain visually and physically connected to the public realm.

Spatial Organization and Program

The library is structured across multiple levels, with a clear vertical and horizontal hierarchy. The sectional drawings indicate a layered spatial system that includes:

• Ground-level public plaza and green court
• Semi-open reading areas
• Enclosed stacks and study zones
• Elevated quiet reading spaces

The lower levels extend into the ground, creating shaded, thermally stable environments suitable for communal activities. Above, more controlled spaces house focused reading and research functions.

This stratification reflects a nuanced understanding of user behavior in contemporary public library design.

Structure and Materiality

The construction system is a hybrid of structural clarity and tactile material expression. The exploded axonometric reveals a combination of:

• Steel and concrete column-beam framework
• Load-bearing concrete walls
• Board-formed concrete retaining elements
• Polished concrete plaza flooring
• A timber screen envelope

The most striking feature is the external wooden screen, which wraps around the upper levels. This porous skin performs multiple roles:

• Solar shading
• Visual filtering
• Identity formation

In the context of Sharjah’s climate, this layered facade strategy is both performative and expressive, aligning with sustainable principles in public library architecture.

Sectional Experience and Light

The sectional perspective highlights a fluid spatial experience, where floors are interconnected visually and functionally. Double-height volumes and internal voids enable daylight to penetrate deep into the structure.

The relationship between structure and space is deliberately exposed, reinforcing architectural legibility. Circulation cores and staircases act as connectors rather than barriers, encouraging movement and interaction.

Landscape Integration

The landscape is not treated as an afterthought but as an integral component of the design. The ground plane dissolves into a soft green courtyard populated with trees and seating elements.

This outdoor space serves multiple purposes:

• Informal reading and gathering
• Community events
• Climatic buffering

By embedding greenery within the architectural logic, the project repositions public library design as a mediator between built form and natural systems.

Public Interface and Civic Presence

The street-facing edges remain open and inviting, reinforcing accessibility. The transparency at the ground level ensures that the library does not appear institutional or exclusive.

Instead, it operates as an extension of the public realm. The plaza blurs the boundary between city and building, encouraging spontaneous use and social engagement.

Rethinking Public Library Architecture

This project challenges traditional typologies by demonstrating that public library architecture can function as:

• A knowledge hub
• A social condenser n- An urban park

Through its integration of landscape, structure, and program, the Public Infill Library establishes a new paradigm where libraries are not isolated entities but active participants in city-making.

The Public Infill Library in Sharjah by Rachel George is a precise and context-driven exploration of public library architecture. By addressing the lack of green space while delivering a functional civic building, the project transcends conventional design boundaries.

It demonstrates that even within constrained urban sites, architecture can create meaningful spatial experiences that serve both individual and collective needs. In doing so, it reinforces the role of public libraries as essential, adaptive, and future-ready urban institutions.