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Caterina Albert de Camp de l’Arpa Library

Oliveras Boix Arquitectes

05.03.13

The plastics factory ‘Alchemika’ located in the Camp de l’Arpa neighbourhood occupies part of the old Costa Font industrial complex built originally between 1948 and 1950, designed by Catalan architect F. Mijans. The recent refurbishment project by Oliveras Boix Arquitectes has converted the complex into a new multifunctional building accommodating a library, a kindergarten, community centre and an old people’s home with day centre.

The public library, Caterina Albert, consists of 2,800 sq.m., its internal space is notable for its bright, open and clear design where the aim is to integrate all the required library elements harmoniously in terms of colour and layout. In order to do so the architects have worked hand in hand with the Mobles 114 furniture manufacturers whose fittings have been used throughout and which is noteworthy for its lack of visual clutter. The library user is at all times aware of the colour coordinated environment where the BBL shelving system adapts perfectly to the storage and display requirements.

  • The facade of the recently refurbished library building by Oliveras Boix Arquitectes

    José Hevia

  • The interior spaces are bright, open and generous

    The other key element is the PEY tables (designed by JM Massana , JM Tremoleda & Eduard Juanola) together with other furniture items provided by Mobles 114 used to fit out the offices together with classic pieces like the Elephant Chairs by the Eames within the children’s section and the Panton Chair by the Danish designer Verner Panton provided in some of the reading areas. An oasis of calm within the busy urban environment addressing the needs of the local community.

    José Hevia

  • José Hevia

  • José Hevia

  • One of the greatest challenges for a public space of this type is the need to be flexible, to be able to cater to the needs of the librarian and of course the public user. The approach here is to allow the entire storage system to be easily modified; the heights of the shelves as well as their angle of inclination; the tables which incorporate versatile electrical outlets, the assembly and disassembly of the shelving is also easily achieved. The durability, another key challenge for the architects, is guaranteed throughout with the use of highly resistant materials: HPL (high pressure laminate) used extensively.

    José Hevia

  • The public library consists of 2,800 sq.m. in total

    José Hevia