The Winners!
GRANTHAGARA LIBRARY DESIGN
First Prize Winners
Berkay Kadakal, Tolga Kaya, Beyza Nur Öncel
Turkey
Introduction
The Granthagara Library Design Competition 2023 was an exciting opportunity for us. We also wanted to test our skills on a global stage by participating in this competition. While the presentation focuses on the "Halfeti Community Library," it demonstrates our commitment to designing libraries that serve as focal points for community development and education. Our motivation stems from a desire to replicate this model in rural settings and contribute to enhancing library services, fostering community connections, and raising awareness about the unique qualities of these regions.
Design Concept
Our library design for the Halfeti Community Library project is a multifaceted endeavor that bridges history, culture, and nature, creating an educational space with diverse information resources. Situated in Halfeti, Urfa, the design aims to raise awareness about Halfeti's geography, history, geology, and gastronomy. It does so not only through books but also by immersing visitors in the daily practices of locals and the surrounding natural environment. The goal is to rekindle appreciation for Halfeti's unique qualities within the fertile crescent.
Rural areas often face challenges such as limited access to educational resources. Our design addresses this by providing a space for learning and growth. The library's multifunctional approach combines history, culture, and nature to enrich the visitor's experience. It aims to create a harmonious connection between the community and their heritage, fostering appreciation for the local environment.
The inspiration behind our design was Halfeti's rich heritage. The unique challenge was to seamlessly integrate all the elements into the library design.
Rural Relevance
Our design recognizes the need to foster a deep connection between rural communities and their environment. It incorporates immersive experiences that allow visitors and locals to learn from nature and engage with the daily practices of the community. The design takes into account the specific needs of rural communities by offering a hub for learning, community engagement, and connection to the region's heritage. It provides a space for locals to access educational resources and learn from their surroundings.
The use of wood as a structural material complements Halfeti's historic stone structures and its coastal location. The library design respects the rural landscape, offering open public spaces and promoting an appreciation for the area's geography, history, and culture.
Sustainable Integration
Our design incorporates a wooden structural system that enhances interior spaces while maintaining flexibility. Wood, being lightweight, complements the coastal environment and contributes to sustainability.
Additionally, the project promotes an appreciation for nature and local practices, aligning with sustainable principles. This approach minimizes the project's environmental footprint and harmonizes with the surrounding seascape.
The use of wood in the structural system, along with an emphasis on education about nature and local practices, encourages sustainable thinking. By connecting people with their environment and heritage, the design fosters a sense of care and concern for the rural community, promoting a more sustainable future.
Design Development
We began by understanding the unique elements that are geological, cultural, and natural aspects of Halfeti. All these analyses involved identifying the disconnection between the different parts, and conceptualizing a library that would bridge these gaps and harmoniously integrated the elements in the design. We refined the concept by ensuring the design was transparent and offered optimal vistas while preserving the area's historical charm.
The use of wood as a structural material was a key design technique, and it played a crucial role in shaping the project's aesthetics and sustainability. It allowed for large interior spaces while maintaining flexibility and respecting the environment. Additionally, the inclusion of forest ramps and observation points contributed to the design's unique character.
The load-bearing system, consisting of wooden columns, has been designed for on-site assembly with screw connections in order to reduce the carbon footprint and avoid causing lasting harm to the natural environment. This design not only contributes to lower energy and resource consumption during the construction process, promoting environmental sustainability, but also allows for adaptability to future changes, making the wooden slat load-bearing system an environmentally conscious and long-term sustainable structure.
Community Impact
Our design aims to reconnect rural communities with their environment, heritage, and cultural practices. By fostering an appreciation for these aspects, we hope to bring renewed vitality to Halfeti and encourage community development. The library becomes a hub for education, connection, community-building and it promotes a community engagement and awareness, which can lead to greater energy efficiency, resource conservation, and self-sufficiency within these communities.
Advice for Aspiring Designers
We would advise aspiring designers to deeply immerse themselves in the local context and culture of the area they are designing for. This understanding is crucial for creating designs that are not only innovative but also resonate with the community's needs and aspirations.
Additionally, consider how your design can meet the specific needs of the community while also being sustainable. Sustainability should be integrated into the design from the early stages, and a commitment to preserving the area's unique qualities is essential.
To achieve success in a design project within this context, a key factor is our capability to take a step back and observe the entire region with a comprehensive perspective and a holistic approach. This approach enables us to observe the area from a distance, considering not just its immediate surroundings but also its rich historical, cultural and environmental context. It's through this method that we can create a design with the potential to bring about substantial and meaningful change in the area.
Reflections on Winning
Winning the Granthagara Library Design Competition is a significant achievement and we are honoured to have been recognized for our work. Libraries have the power to transform communities and connect them to their roots, and we hope our design serves as an inspiration for others interested in similar projects.
Second Prize Winners
Jun Lyu, Shiyu Yu, Minghao Xu, Peng Peng
China
Third Prize Winners
Adwait Ambekar, Neha Malani, Navya Malu
India
Special mention
Honorable mention
Puru Malhotra, Mannat Chopra
Disha Rabadia, Nisarg Mewada
Xiaotong Ma
Puru Malhotra, Mannat Chopra
India
Disha Rabadia, Nisarg Mewada
India
Xiaotong Ma
China
