A Warehouse and a Social Condenser

STEFANS PAVLOVSKIS

In the place of Bo’ness library stands a pool of shared knowledge and resources.

The existing library premises are reduced in size and, by the creation of a new spatial order, turned into a warehouse fit for anything, open to anyone. The library as a repository is liberated from its social duties; those are greatly exaggerated and moved elsewhere - to the High Street, where their presence contributes towards a social condenser - the centre of exchange, work and leisure.

The vacant High Street retail premises are taken as found, fitted with simple interventions ensuring spatial and programmatic affordances and enabled with active objects- risographs, hearths and extremely long tables dismantled and reused due to minimal adhesives and mechanical fixings.

ADAM WALSH

The aim of this project was to create a new extension for the library in Bo’ ness, accommodating a pair of old industrial buildings that make up a portion of the existing library’ s footprint.

My design tried to connect Bo’ ness ’ old industrial harbour and shipbreaking history to the town that it is today. The new extension, reminiscent of a ship’s skeletal keel and clad in pre-rusted Corten steel, protrudes out towards the old quay and the Firth of Forth beyond that. The spaces created inside and around the new build aim to draw in visitors, turning the waterfront into a hub of activity once again.