A Place for the Community

This article is from the archive of Roca Gallery. It was first published in November, 2024.

“What have I done to deserve this? These words were spoken by a resident of Barcelona’s Sant Martí neighborhood as she entered the Gabriel García Márquez Library on its opening day in May 2022. The fact is that this facility represents a profound commitment to inclusion, social justice, and equity. Its architecture is designed to break down both physical and social barriers, welcoming not only readers but anyone in search of a place to connect and feel at home.

By doing so, it actively narrows the gap in access to knowledge, offering equal opportunities and supporting the vision of restorative justice in urban spaces. More than just a collection of books, the library has become a beloved community hub—a space for gathering, creativity, and collaboration. It is affectionately called the “People’s Palace,” echoing Eric Klinenberg’s idea that “social infrastructures are not luxuries, but necessary conditions for community life.”

Once merely a parking lot behind a police station, the library has transformed the area into a vibrant meeting place and inclusive space, embodying the principle of justice as the fair distribution of resources. While it may not be feasible to provide every resident with a palace, this new social and cultural center offers an enriching architectural and immersive experience and was recognized as the Public Library of the Year 2023 by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).

The project was based on multidisciplinary research to redefine the contemporary library model, especially as many of its traditional roles are now fulfilled online. Libraries serve as civil cathedrals, embodying ideals of public space and acting as social catalysts that promote access to, exchange of, and creation of knowledge. Here, the outcome is a series of holistically and interconnectedly designed ecosystems. Spaces such as the Agora-Showcase, the Ideas Forum, the Park, the Spiral of Encounters, and the Reading Palace provide a physical environment and user experience that digital platforms cannot replace.

Open areas encourage dialogue and collaboration, serving as a "third space" where neighbors and visitors can come together to pursue collective projects. These environments are designed to be neutral—free from judgment or exclusion—promoting a culture of acceptance and reconciliation within the community. In this way, the library has become a place where individuals can find their own space and feel a sense of belonging within a committed community.

Drawing inspiration from the Nordic tradition, the library enhances the sense of a homelike environment, inviting users to make the space their own through everyday activities that deepen their sense of belonging. It is a shared home for all—a welcoming and cohesive public space where everyone can feel included.

The incorporation of noble materials like wood and the extensive use of large windows that bathe the space in natural light carry a profound significance, underscoring the values of inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability. Wood brings a sense of warmth and familiarity, essential in creating a space that feels accessible and welcoming to all community members, particularly those who have felt marginalized or disconnected from institutional spaces.

The natural light, combined with the wood’s texture and color, fosters an atmosphere of well-being, positively impacting users' mental and emotional health. This design approach minimizes visual and physical barriers, strengthening the link between the interior and the surrounding urban environment. Additionally, the large windows allow for mutual visibility between the inside and outside, symbolizing transparency and openness. Through this lighting, the building engages symbolically with its surroundings, inviting people to participate actively in the space.

By choosing environmentally friendly materials and techniques that reduce its carbon footprint, the library demonstrates a commitment to planetary responsibility and future generations, aligning with principles of justice and equity. Sustainability is a core value here, emphasizing the responsibility to care for the current community and the well-being of future generations.

This shows that public facilities can foster social cohesion in a large city. By blending social and environmental sustainability, they help revitalize the neighborhood’s social fabric, offering a model of urban renewal and community involvement. Such spaces can serve as a refuge and resource for the city’s most vulnerable populations, illustrating how thoughtful architecture and urban design can actively contribute to the well-being and resilience of a community.

Main image: Agora-Showcase, entry plaza, Gabriel García Márquez Library, Barcelona, 2022, SUMA Arquitectura. Photo © Adrià Goula

 

2024 EUmies Award for Emerging Architecture, Gabriel García Márquez Library, Barcelona, SUMA Arquitectura. Film production: Nihao Films. Courtesy of the Mies van der Rohe Foundation Barcelona.