Fotografía: Sergison Bates Architects
The project for the new city library in the Flemish seaside town of Blankenberge involved the refurbishment, re-organisation and major extension of a former 19th century school building wich has protected status as a local monument.
No longer a mere depository of books and periodicals, the modern library has become a multi-use environment fot the community and an important part of an ever-decreasing public realm. According to Louis I.Kahn, the 'emphasis in (library) design should not be on housing books but on housing readers using books'.
This endorses the view that the design of the modern library should establish a balaance between a clear and functional organisational infrastructure and a variety of spaces- some quiet and introspective, other lively and open.




