Utena Public Library of A.and M. Miskiniai

About object:

The architects D. Trainauskas and D. Baliukevičius, who won the competition held already in 2004, outdid all the rivals by their metaphorical idea of a library building – a three-piled stack of books. The metaphor, which served well for architectural expression, dictated the modern original shape and functional solution of the internal spaces.

In the process of implementation of the idea, the image of three coloured books was refused leaving rough concrete surfaces and louvers surrounding the building and symbolizing pages of a book instead of it. Books and visitors became the main focus of the building. An open space without doors – such was a vision of the library’s manageress, which surprised even the architects by its modernness. Every passer-by is invited to come to the library and can freely visit all the premises of the building, the entire fund is open, and the walls are transparent. The life of the three-storey building “rolls” around a black ramp connecting six levels, which is the main focus of a central atrium.

Actually, e freedom created in the building, which is not converting to anarchy, is the most riveting. Although the verge is thin, but the trust endowed to visitors obliges them. The object simply offers different life based on trust and democracy.

J. Rėklaitė