A community-supported pop-up library has been installed in Newmarket, an intensifying suburb of Toronto. Designed by Atelier Kastelic Buffey (AKB), the ‘Story pod’ has been placed at the edge of a recently completed civic square, creating a lively hub within the neighborhood’s Victorian-era architecture.
The abstract black volume acts as an urban marker, attracting passersby from nearby main street and an adjacent riverside walking trail. As visitors move around the box, the rhythm of its vertical slats changes. The tightest spacing articulates opaque walls, while the larger gaps allow light and views to filter through. The widest openings display the internal book stacks, showcasing the spines and encouraging readers to enter.
During the day, two of the walls pivot open like the covers of a book. guests are encouraged to both take and leave reading material, or simply lounge on the built-in seating. at night, when the doors are locked, energy efficient LED lights — powered by self-sustaining rooftop solar panels — glow through the lattice work like a lantern, providing ambiance for night markets or community events.
The design team utilised standard dimension lumber and plywood in order to minimise production waste. The pod was constructed by a team of volunteers, while AKB undertook the project pro bono. The concept was initiated by Holliswealth, who donated funds for the purchase of materials.
Instinct Furniture BLOG, mostly about cool libraries, furniture and design – keeping you abreast of our world. (Source: Designboom. Images by Bob Gundu).
