2023 | Professional

MUSE Design Awards Silver Winner

Tiny Library

Entrant

Studio RE+N

Category

Architectural Design - Pop-Ups & Temporary

Client's Name

Country / Region

United States

In the heart of Zhejiang province, the historically enriched Songyang county, renowned for its tea culture, captivating landscapes, and artisanal traditions, encounters a longing for dynamic public spaces and riveting reading rendezvous. Responding to this aspiration, “On the Road” unfolds as a 20 square meter mobile library, masterfully revamped from a conventional truck, integrating lightweight and economical metal studs.

Purpose & Reach
Beyond its primary role, “On the Road” emerges as a beacon of empowerment, underscoring knowledge’s metamorphic prowess. With its open design, it beckons the entire community, blurring the distinctions between public and private realms, and intensifying the allure for tourists. Catering primarily to the seniors and youth of Songyang, it serves as a conduit to convey the county's profound histories and traditions, whilst offering adaptability for both pastoral and metropolitan settings.

Design Ingenuity
Distinctive in its modularity, “On the Road” boasts an elevated bookshelf system with a capacity for 1200 books. Ingeniously incorporated roll-up doors create fluid interior-exterior transitions, apt for all seasons. The truck's innovative design includes cushioned risers which morph the space for various purposes, from exhibitions to events. Embedded amenities like book exchanges and bike racks echo community cohesion and ecological mindfulness.

Illuminating both day and night, LED fixtures combined with translucent polycarbonate grid ceiling panels ensure brightness. Hidden within, orange dome headphones offer an immersive auditory journey. Furthermore, a retractable panel laden with LEDs shields against the elements.

Versatility & Expansion
From the nostalgic alleys of history to the refreshing expanses of tea gardens and urban parks, “On the Road” exhibits unmatched location adaptability. Expansion is seamless, with the capability of interconnecting multiple trucks for grander occasions or campsites.

Sustainability Commitment
Eco-consciousness drives “On the Road.” Solar installations affirm energy self-reliance, while holistic measures like rainwater harvesting and gray water recycling buttress its environmental dedication.

Iconic Impression
Echoing local color palettes inspired by Songyang’s tea farmer dwellings, it blends serene blues with the golden tones of tea terraces. Accents of red and vibrant orange elements infuse life, crowning “On the Road” an emblematic mobile literacy haven.

Credits

Studio RE+N
Pu Zhang
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