Library in Horreo, Spain

In the existing parliament of Galicia, a library and document centre have been installed. The long, narrow library space is laid out according to a strict symmetry, with the information desk at the intersection of the two main axes. Compartments along the longitudinal axis provide space for undisturbed reading. At each end, a staircase leads to an upper-level gallery that affords further access to the room-height bookshelves. The use of ground glass for the floors and balustrades lends the gallery a special stylistic note. The slenderly dimensioned timber structure also serves to articulate the high space. Card indexes have been accommodated in the spaces beneath the staircases. The staircase blocks, shelves and reading compartments are constructed of beech, which is stained deep red in part.