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A few years ago, the city of Tbilisi in Georgia announced a competition to build “mediatheque” in several spots of the city. The first completed project was in Vake Park, which has now been nominated for the Mies van der Rohe Award 2017.
The entire building is surrounded by a fabric-wrapped structure that gives it an airy appearance, both day and night.
Tbilisi firm Laboratory of Architecture #3, which designed the project, says that the park was chosen as the location in order to attract people visiting the park during their relaxation time. Since children and teenagers, in particular, have not been using the city’s libraries as much, due to their poor condition, there was a special effort to engage young people with play spaces for children, and an inviting environment around the building.
The building stands along the wide promenade of the park. The building has a concrete monolith roof structure, that covers not only wooden oval volumes in the interior, but a large part of the outside terrain as well. With this method, and because of the glass walls of the building, it is difficult to define a distinct boarder, which merges the park and its green landscape with the interior.
There are an increasing number of Mediatheque visitors now, attesting to it’s success. The building has already formed a certain community around itself, and contributes to establishing an atmosphere that encourages socializing. The building is frequently used for cultural and educational activities, as well.