Rethinking Knowledge in Space – A New Chapter in Library Architecture
The Library Reimagined: Adaptive Architecture for Individual Learning in a Collective Landscape
A Future Library for the Age of Individuality
The requirements, functions, and even the scale of the library space—as we define it today—are in a constant state of evolution. What was once a fixed place of books and silence has now become an arena for collaboration, performance, reflection, and personalized exploration. With each shift in how we understand knowledge and learning, the spatial expression of the library morphs to accommodate these new paradigms. It becomes not just a place for reading, but a responsive architecture that reflects the human condition and the societal transformations shaping it.
This innovative project "Shell" by Beyza Ayaz, a shortlisted entry of Libgen 2019, challenges the traditional norms of library architecture and redefines it as an evolving typology shaped by the tension between individuality and collectivity. Set within the urban fabric of Warsaw, the design occupies a historically rich area—adjacent to the ruins of the Warsaw Ghetto and flanked by emerging green zones. The site itself becomes a metaphor for memory, transformation, and possibility, where past traumas and future hopes intersect in physical form.
Ayaz’s vision of the library of the future prioritizes self-learning and user autonomy. As society moves away from rigid institutional learning environments, the need arises for spaces that support personal discovery, quiet reflection, and the independent pursuit of knowledge. In this concept, the library is imagined as a landscape rather than a container, where the boundaries between inside and outside, public and private, dissolve. It is a terrain of ideas—an open, flexible, and inclusive space where the user actively shapes their own learning experience.
Taking cues from the city's layered history and varied terrain, the project embraces the metaphor of the “shell.” This architectural element references the protective nature of city walls while simultaneously providing openness and adaptability. The shell curves along the topography, forming a partially sunken yet welcoming structure that invites users to explore, interact, and immerse themselves in knowledge. It is not just an enclosure but a narrative element that speaks of both protection and exposure, past and future. Through its curvature and form, the shell organizes spatial experience while subtly guiding movement, allowing users to transition between different mental and spatial states.
The design also explores the evolution of typologies. Square and dwelling formats are reconsidered in terms of how they accommodate modern learning behaviors. Over time, the layout becomes more modular and responsive, allowing for spaces that shift in size and function. Whether a user seeks solitude, collective discussion, or active engagement, the architecture flexes to suit those needs. This dynamic quality positions the library as an ever-adapting environment rather than a fixed destination. It also reflects the broader trend in library architecture toward hybridity—spaces that serve as cultural, educational, and social anchors within the urban landscape.
At the heart of the project lies a philosophical proposition: that knowledge cannot be confined, and therefore, neither should the spaces that support it. By resisting rigid formalism and embracing porosity, the design becomes an open system—welcoming all identities, ages, and forms of engagement. It supports learning as a lived experience, one that unfolds over time and in varied contexts. The library becomes not only a place of books but a space of participation—where voices intersect, ideas flourish, and solitude and society coexist.
The library space is punctuated with self-education zones, performance nooks, green courtyards, and multipurpose halls. These are not isolated rooms but interconnected modules that enable continuous learning and exchange. Users can move seamlessly between different atmospheres, creating their own narrative through space. This sense of agency is critical in fostering deep, meaningful interactions with knowledge. The architecture acts as a silent collaborator in this process, subtly adapting to needs without imposing hierarchy or rigidity.
Programmatically, the project incorporates both temporary and permanent learning modules, accommodating the seasonal and temporal nature of public engagement. From quiet winter reading nooks tucked into the shell to vibrant outdoor performance stages in the summer, the library lives and breathes with its users. This kind of responsive design is crucial in creating resilient library architecture that continues to serve evolving community needs.
Furthermore, the project integrates green space into the built environment, creating an overlap between ecological awareness and intellectual growth. Trees and natural elements are woven into the learning landscape, suggesting that knowledge is not just cultivated in silence and stone, but also in the rustling of leaves, the light through branches, and the shared breath of open air. This harmony between nature and architecture enhances mental well-being and reflects a deep commitment to sustainable urbanism.
Ayaz’s proposal underscores the transformative power of library architecture. It is not merely about shelves and seating—it is about building environments that adapt to the way we live, think, and grow. By weaving together history, individualism, topography, and modularity, the project offers a future-forward blueprint for how libraries can evolve into living systems of knowledge. It argues for libraries not as relics of the past, but as laboratories for future urban life—open, porous, and rich with potential.
