Guille-Alles Children’s Library

Once a tired and purely functional space, the Children’s Library has been reimagined as a fantastical environment that invites exploration and sparks curiosity. The design introduces soaring walls of shelves accessed via flying walkways and gantries, evoking the grandeur of historic libraries while embracing a playful, contemporary twist.

Artificial grass softens the floor, and seating areas within the bay windows overlook the Market Square, linking the interior directly with the life of the town. Staircases and raised walkways, carefully designed and CNC-cut from plywood for efficient assembly, lead to hidden passages and secret shelves, creating moments of discovery for young visitors. Reading nooks of varying sizes are tucked within the shelves, offering spaces for children to immerse themselves in stories, either alone or in small groups.

Since reopening in December 2018, the library has been met with enthusiastic praise from both staff and visitors. Within the first three months, overall usage rose by 10%, while children’s book loans surged by 32%, underscoring its value as a cherished and transformative community resource.