quart

competition for the rehabilitation and extension of a public library

The proposal begins with the adaptive reuse of a generic 1980s industrial building with civic functions. The brief called for expanding the surface area of the public library, which required extending the existing volume.

The strategy focuses on consolidating the front façade by adding a new floor aligned with the height of the adjacent theatre, completing the volume. Since the existing structure couldn't support additional loads, the extension is designed as a lightweight, prefabricated structure that grows over the original building—detached from its foundations and supported independently. This approach avoids costly reinforcement works while extending the building’s useful life.

The new addition houses a civic programme: library, meeting rooms, and a shaded urban gallery. A compact core organises circulation, while the original envelope is opened to reconnect with the surrounding public space. By working with what’s already there, the project shifts the focus from replacement to reactivation—prioritising reuse, low-impact construction, and long-term adaptability.

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public
Quart, Girona
1.884 sqm
2024
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