There's nothing better than reading a book on a chilly winter day. But sometimes your average library can be a rather dreary place.
Thankfully, architects and book-lovers alike are reimagining what constitutes an amazing library — like this design firm that created a gorgeous library inside an actual forest.
So when I learned about the literary secrets inside this ordinary black box, I was absolutely blown away.
Dubbed the "Story Pod," this compact structure from AKB looks totally unassuming from the outside. But take one step indoors, and you'll find a stunning library and the perfect place to cozy up with your new favorite book.
Located in Toronto's Newmarket neighborhood, the Story Pod serves as a central location for citizens to gather, read, learn, and explore. And these incredibly unique library ideas aren't just in Canada. Mobile libraries are popping up across the globe, bringing a one-of-a-kind library experience to people who might not have it otherwise.
Have you ever visited an unconventional library? Let us know in the comments.
h/t YorkRegion
This abstract black box, built by the AKB architecture studio, has been drawing in curious residents and tourists since its completion earlier this year. Located near Newmarket’s main street, the Story Pod serves as an easy-to-access mobile library for anyone in search of a book or quiet reading spot.
To invite readers into the space, the Story Pod’s doors pivot open each morning, mimicking the pages of an actual book. The model is set up so that citizens can take a book, leave a book, or sit down for a quick read.
Regardless of the nature of one's visit to the pod, each person is met with an artistically designed structure with a series of vertical slats. When the slats are closer together, they look like an opaque wall, but when the openings are widened, they reveal a new book stack.
That’s because as users move around the box, the rhythm of its vertical slats changes. This means that different stacks of books are available at any given time, encouraging visitors to return multiple times for different library experiences.
There are also gaps backed by transparent plastic, which allow light to filter through and add to the piece's dynamic nature, creating a bright and airy reading atmosphere.
Newmarket mayor Tony Van Bynen believes the Story Pod has been a great example of community partnership and innovative projects, and is hoping to create more initiatives of this type. He shares that this kind of urban revitalization is what makes Newmarket one of the best places to live in Canada.
And the Story Pod is getting rave reviews from its visitors. Newmarket resident Louise Carter thinks it is a beautiful and convenient addition to the popular park. 'I love the design and that you can sit and read while enjoying the air, river and green space,' she tells YorkRegion.com. Jessie Hunter, 13, agrees. 'It seems like a really good idea.'
Once nighttime falls and the doors are locked to protect the books, energy-efficient LED lights (which are powered by the roof's solar panels) make the structure look like a glowing lantern. For those walking around at night, the Story Pod then doubles as a beacon of light in the city’s park.
The AKB architecture studio has created countless structures with a similar design, feel, and commitment to sustainability. As for their mission, AKB is trying to create buildings that are engaging, elegant, and functional, with exceptional warmth by combining the 'practical' and the 'abstract.'
The idea of a pop-up library doesn’t end with the Story Pod. These kinds of buildings are cropping up all over the globe. This mobile library from Bogota, Colombia, reimagines the idea of a bus station as a comfy spot to do a little reading.
Tell A Story is an amazing mobile library in Lisbon, Portugal, that encourages the local community to learn more about Portuguese authors and the country’s long legacy of storytelling.
These one-of-a-kind library experiences are absolutely transforming communities, and allowing access to books for those who might not otherwise have it.
Would you want one of these pop-up libraries in your community? Let us know in the comments.
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