2023
Location: Walt Whitman Library, Brooklyn
This library draws inspiration from The Perks of Being a Wallflower
by Stephen Chbosky and the 53rd Street Library in Midtown Manhattan,
designed by TEN Arquitectos. Like the 53rd Street branch, this design
blends traditional library functions with modern needs. Wildflowers, a key
metaphor in Chbosky’s novel, symbolize individuality and growth.
The ground floor features a conversation pit at the center of the space,
surrounded by bookshelves, creating an inviting and comfortable nook
for reading or thoughtful discussions.
Above this central space is a matinee that takes advantage of the expansive
vertical space, offering a view of the entire library.
Studio spaces on the first floor, furnished with flexible seating and a sink,
provide the perfect setting for art classes and workshops. One of the
standout features is the children’s area, with spaces located perpendicularly
to each other at either end of the ground floor.
The basement-level digital hub offers technology to encourage digital
exploration and creativity, while study zones with laptop bars and ample
outlets provide quiet, focused areas for individual work. The overall layout
carefully organizes the library into distinct zones to accommodate a variety
of activities for the community. Centralized and perimeter bookshelves make
navigation intuitive while maintaining open sightlines. By offering spaces
for learning and quiet reflection, the library invites people of all ages to
engage with literature in meaningful ways.