Library Lelystad by Aequo

Project: FlevoMeer Library – Lelystad
Designed by Aequo
Location: Lelystad, Netherland
Website: aequo.nl
Library Lelystad is the first European Department Store of Knowledge. In the interior design by architecture agency Aequo, retail elements are taken from their usual context. This creates a new tension field, where temptation, inspiration, and encounters are central. More info and images after the jump:

Libraries remain the most used public amenities of the Netherlands. According to architect Aat Vos of Aequo, libraries comprise the last truly safe, publicly accessible place since the disappearance of community centres. In his opinion, the times call for a new library typology. A typology that is also visible in the interior design in Lelystad, described by Vos as follows: the library as ‘third place’ for the have-nots (the less fortunate in society), and as ‘compatible place‘ for the haves. In other words: the library must be able to compete with the places intended for those that are of means, such as department stores. Following from this, in Lelystad people can use the library’s different functions in a veritable shopping flow: public meeting point, silence centre, and book temple.

Project team Interior Library FlevoMeer, Lelystad establishment:
Aequo BV Architects Assen: Aat Vos, Niels van Veen, Farzad Salehi, Bernhard Klok, Suuz Vos, Fokko van der Veen
Artmiks imagebuilders Amsterdam: Paul Oram, Marco de Boer
Lighting design: Ansorg, Svend Eric Panjer, Ouderkerk a/d Amstel
Principal contractor interior: FJBV, Bussum
Book cases: PROOB, Huizen
Floating floors: Sika, Utrecht
Furniture coating: Leolac, Wanssum
Images Courtesy of Aequo