Warsaw Library of Visual Arts

The Warsaw Library of Visual Arts, a shortlisted entry in Libgen 2019, redefines the boundaries of contemporary architecture by intertwining built form with nature. Designed by Lilit Hakopyan, the concept celebrates openness, fluidity, and interaction—blurring the lines between public and private, and between architectural structure and the organic landscape.

The architectural vision prioritizes ecological sensitivity and user experience. The site retains the essence of the natural setting, allowing existing trees and topography to shape the library's layout. This connection to the ecosystem fosters a sense of belonging and accessibility, aligning with sustainable principles of modern library design.

The building disperses its functions above ground level, forming a network of elevated units nestled among the trees. These units serve as collaborative platforms and adaptable spaces, responding to the evolving needs of visual arts practitioners and visitors. The elevated design enhances mobility and introduces diverse perspectives, encouraging exploration and innovation.

Key design features include:

• Green roofs to blend architecture with the landscape
• Glass walls offering transparency and openness
• Public ground floor fostering community engagement
• Interactive circulation paths that connect knowledge spaces with nature

The masterplan integrates not just the library but a broader ecosystem of public amenities: pedestrian zones, bike paths, playgrounds, and an open amphitheater—establishing the site as a cultural and recreational destination. A vibrant network of spaces encourages community participation while maintaining zones of quiet study and reflection. This fusion of functionality and form places the library at the heart of urban rejuvenation.

The design process itself followed a logic of morphogenesis—drawing inspiration from existing pathways, tree patterns, and voids in the urban fabric. Through iterative spatial layering and analysis of public-private transitions, the library grew as a responsive organism rather than a static monument. Visitors flow through the space intuitively, guided by light, materials, and gradients of openness.

The Warsaw Library of Visual Arts is more than an architectural achievement—it is a forward-thinking cultural node. By embodying the principles of contemporary architecture, it represents the power of design to inspire, educate, and unify. It imagines the library not as a relic of the past, but as a futuristic experience hub where knowledge, creativity, and nature coalesce.

Project by Lilit Hakopyan – Shortlisted in Libgen 2019