Biblioteca Infantil

Parque da Cidade

Biblioteca Infantil
The small pavillion, situated between the garden´s trees, has a porch of double height and two different levels which are linked by a wooden staircase.

The library comes into sight like an «objet trouvé» in the midst of Nature, fully integrated in the spontaneous character of the scenery.

Its form reminds us of a train carriage slightly separated from the ground, and it looks nimble and welcoming.

One feels that the object was carefully laid down, without harming or changing the sorrounding landscape.

The materials chosen for its construction both respect and adapt themselves to the scenery, with the textures and colours of Nature.

The struture and the wall panels are made of wood, and the windows are of transparent polycarbonate, situated at the children´s height and with good views of the garden.

The idea of creating a toy box knew such sucess that the local authorities decided to rebuild the pavillion at the City Park, to act as a children´s library and games house.

Some changes were made on the walls in this second construction, so as to adapt them to the cold winters of Oporto.

Wood is used as a versatile material that can be applied according to different construction techniques and always with a great expressiveness.

Besides, wood always blends in perfectly in green spaces.

Architect: Paula Santos.

Quoted from Atlas de Arquitectura Actual, by Francisco Asensio Cerver (Konemann Verlagsgesellschaft, Colónia)