Banned Books Library
Circulation through Arc and Lines
Books facing political bans, known as political censorship, have been witnessed under regimes like the Nazis in Germany, Stalin's regime in the Soviet Union, and Park Chung-hee's Yushin regime. These regimes censored books to suppress ideas threatening their power's security. Religious censorship followed, targeting heretical beliefs and minority religious scriptures.
'Obscene' books challenging societal norms were censored, covering themes like expression, race, drugs, social class, and gender identity. This library actually showcases such banned books, encouraging people to read them. Banned books are categorized by year, focusing on political, religious, and social reasons. The library features a dedicated shelf promoting awareness of banned books, an upstairs movie room for teenage visitors, and a communication table for discussions. Computers and workshops are provided on different floors.
Designed for children and librarians, the first floor features varied seating levels, a diverse bookshelf, and private areas. The overall design incorporates arcs and straight lines, creating an engaging space. Skylights highlight banned bookshelves, and columns blend with concrete, contributing to the library's character.
Rhino, and Enscape used
Site and Design Purpose
Arlington Brooklyn Public Library
In this project, students will re-imagine an existing branch of the Brooklyn Public Library in the East Brooklyn/Cypress Hills neighborhood of Brooklyn. In addition to serving the needs of this Brooklyn neighborhood, the specific focus of this branch will be centered around the subject of “banned books” and the freedom to read.
This new library will include programming one might expect in a typical public library, but will also include spaces for the instruction of information literacy, galleries for the exhibition of books and “banned” subject matter, public and private spaces for discussion/debate of these topics and special collections of material thought to be particularly sensitive.
Material Collage
This is a restrained color palette with an overall tone that harmonizes with the concrete walls. The walnut of the bookshelves and the color of the columns serve as the main accent colors. This helps to highlight the books on the shelves and provides a well-organized atmosphere for comfortable relaxation.
