In the beginning of XXI-st century library is no longer a fortress of knowledge accessible only for a handful of initiated. To attract readers it has to use typical commercial market weapons. Contemporary libraries are eye-catching designs offering much more than just a place to read.

My library is designed in the very centre of Lodz – third biggest city in Poland. Location near shops, restaurants, civic offices and other cultural and educational facilities makes this building easily accessible for people of different age, walks of life and interests. To fulfil their needs building contains many functions supplementing traditional library. Ground floor is a building’s living room with open cafe and magazines reading-room situated in 5-storey hall. Higher there are: children’s library, mediatheque, auditorium, educational and exposition spaces. Forth and fifth floor are containing main library. Above it, on the top of building there is a spacious reading-room open to roof terrace.

Very simple, open interiors are contrasted with ornamental facade. Whole building is covered by golden sheets, with laser-cut patterns of Art Nouveau font designed by Otto Eckmann. Shape of this font and colour of panels are humorous reference to surrounding buildings, in majority erected at the turn of XIX-th and XX-th century. Golden facade is a kind of shiny, eye-catching “dress” of building, attracting passers-by. It makes building a legibly modern landmark, without arrogant domination over historical neighbourhood.

2008