rural library

Project idea

The library in Kratovo is conceived as a public and cultural space that seamlessly integrates with the town’s historical and architectural context. Kratovo is a town known for its vibrant creative community and rich architectural heritage, especially its traditional wooden houses featuring bright colors, decorative carvings, and varied roof geometries. Many artists, writers, architects, and musicians live here, and the library is designed as a natural extension of this cultural environment.

The main idea was to design a building that does not interrupt the existing urban atmosphere, but rather supports and reflects it through deliberate architectural continuity and material honesty. The building draws directly from local traditions, using wood as the primary facade material, combining a diverse rhythm of volumes, and incorporating steep roof slopes with colorful accents that resonate with the expressive local rooftops.

At the same time, the library offers a modern multifunctional interior: reading spaces, coworking zones, a children’s library, and workshop areas. The architectural concept brings together heritage and innovation, making the building both a cultural landmark and a contemporary civic hub.

Project description

The building is located on the picturesque shoreline of Kratovo Lake, allowing full visual and spatial integration with the surrounding natural landscape. The architectural strategy takes advantage of this setting, opening up the interior to panoramic views and providing both indoor and outdoor areas for reading and gathering. The library is organized over two floors, each with distinct functions, ensuring a clear user experience and spatial zoning.

First Floor – Quiet Zone & Garden Integration:
• Reading rooms with integrated book storage provide peaceful spaces for concentration.
• A small cafeteria serves as a casual reading and social corner.
• The floor includes a cloakroom, accessible restrooms, and administrative staff offices.
• A key feature is the semi-enclosed garden, accessible directly from the interior — a green retreat that allows for open-air reading, informal meetings, and seasonal cultural events.

Second Floor – Learning, Play & Collaboration:
• A spacious children’s area and library, designed for multiple age groups, supports both education and play.
• Workshop rooms host creative sessions, lectures, and exhibitions.
• A flexible coworking area combines private study rooms with shared working zones, ideal for freelancers, students, and local creatives.
• The observation deck, accessed from the second level, provides stunning views of the lake and serves as a spatial and symbolic culmination of the visitor journey through the building.

Throughout the layout, the design ensures that quiet and active functions are clearly divided but still connected through circulation and visual continuity. The entire structure emphasizes comfort, inclusiveness, and engagement, while offering the town a new space for intellectual and cultural exchange.

Technical information

• Structure: Reinforced concrete core with timber-based facade cladding;
• Facade material: Natural wood, selected for thermal performance and visual consistency with local buildings;
• Roofing: Steeply pitched roofs with extended eaves for snow and rain protection;
• Windows: Panoramic glazing to maximize daylight and views;
• HVAC & insulation: Energy-efficient systems suited to Kratovo’s temperate continental climate (cold winters, humid summers);
• Accessibility: Fully accessible interiors, restrooms, and external paths;
• Landscape integration: Outdoor reading garden and lakeside orientation;
• Key features: Observation deck, dual-level programming, multifunctional spatial configuration.

Documentation

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