Architects from BUT help municipalities and design new forms for local libraries

Libraries are among the fundamental pillars of public space and community life. Students of the Faculty of Architecture at BUT therefore engage in long-term collaboration with municipal libraries, helping them find a new identity through their design proposals. In the current academic year, they focused on libraries in Brankovice, Medlovice and Bošovice in the Vyškov region and in Drnholec in the Břeclav region.

Presentation of student projects to representatives of municipalities and libraries. | Author: Karel Poneš

The multi-year cooperation between the university and municipal libraries operates through the Library for the 21st Century project. The project is jointly led by architect Jan Kratochvíl from the Faculty of Architecture BUT and Lenka Dostálová from the Methodological Centre for the Construction and Reconstruction of Libraries at the Moravian Library, and its aim is to connect education with practice and tangible outcomes. During the semester, students visit selected libraries, analyse their needs and propose specific architectural solutions. The outcome of their work consists of studies that municipalities can further develop and use in the actual reconstruction of their libraries.

One successfully implemented proposal is, for example, the reconstruction of the library in Znojmo, which was completed last autumn and brought both modernization of the space and a more pleasant environment for studying and meeting. “We had seen earlier proposals and really appreciated their innovativeness, playfulness and boldness. Moreover, connecting the academic environment with practice makes perfect sense to us. The students now have a completed project in their portfolio and we have a beautiful new branch,” explained Jana Sikorová, Director of the Znojmo Municipal Library, adding that she would welcome future cooperation with the university if possible.

The Future of Municipal Libraries Is Being Shaped at BUT

The latest studio projects were presented by young architects to representatives of four selected municipalities last week, symbolically in the faculty library. “As a public university, we want to be not only a place of education and research, but also a partner to society. The Library for the 21st Century project demonstrates how a university can return its know-how back to the regions,” said Jan Kratochvíl, Vice-Dean for Studies at the Faculty of Architecture BUT, in his opening remarks.

In this academic year, students focused on libraries in municipalities in the Vyškov and Břeclav regions. The individual proposals work with current trends and reflect the latest knowledge about the functioning of community spaces. They place particular emphasis on greater openness, accessibility and children’s zones. “In addition to children, the librarian was also key for us, as she needs to have a clear overview of the space. We therefore positioned her desk so that she can see the children’s corner, the seating steps, the discussion area and the book section,” described the student team working on the library in Brankovice.

Student architectural designs. | Author: Karel Poneš

In their presentations, students introduced layout modifications, new interior concepts and possibilities for further use of library spaces. “A special feature of our proposal is the possibility to transform the space into a ceremonial hall, as the library in Medlovice has a truly beautiful atmosphere. We work with an open roof truss and movable partitions that can conceal the kitchenette and children’s corner when needed, allowing the library to serve as a romantic venue for wedding ceremonies,” students explained.

"The architectural studies for library renovations created during the winter semester will be further developed by students in the Interior 2 course. Municipalities will thus obtain more detailed project documentation, which will enable them to approach specific contractors and better plan the renovation of their libraries. By continuing to work on the project, students will acquire valuable skills for future practice and can prepare their first commission for high-quality implementation," added Kratochvíl.

Thanks to long-term and systematic cooperation, university actively contributes to regional development and fulfils its third mission – the transfer of knowledge and expertise into practice for the benefit of society. It does not remain solely within the sphere of education and research, but shares its know-how with specific municipalities, responds to their needs and seeks high-quality and sustainable solutions that can have a real impact on the quality of life of local communities.

Visualizations of individual libraries are available in the gallery.