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Municipal library in Soběslav
Published on 16 April 2021
Czech Republic
Jihozápad
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About this good practice
Soběslav is a small town in the northern part of the South Bohemia region with a population of 7 000 inhabitants. Soběslav is a historical place with several medieval monuments. One of them is a medieval castle from the 14th century in the town centre. The municipality wanted to revitalize the town centre and the question was how to integrate the castle structures into the new concept. The castle was conserved and a modern municipal library was incorporated into its northern tract, making the resulting structure interesting design-wise, considerably enhancing the public space which was formerly a rather forgotten spot right in the town centre. Since its construction, the library serves also as a space for exhibitions, author readings or concerts.
The whole renovation was conceived as a low-energy public building. The modern steel-glass construction was inset to the medieval spaces. This solution enables both conservation of medieval parts and the creation of a low-energy and climate-controlled core building, suitable for storing books, prints and other paper-based materials.
The whole renovation was conceived as a low-energy public building. The modern steel-glass construction was inset to the medieval spaces. This solution enables both conservation of medieval parts and the creation of a low-energy and climate-controlled core building, suitable for storing books, prints and other paper-based materials.
Resources needed
The overall budget of the renovation was slightly over 1.5 mil. €, mostly covered by ERDF fund via Regional Operational Programme Southwest.
Evidence of success
The construction project was finished on time and ever since it serves the local community. Moreover, the special events are attended by visitors from quite far away (given the fact they are coming to see a library), amounting to over 2000 per year. In 2012, the library ranked 2nd among 141 entries in an international architecture competition Building Efficiency Awards, an award for valuable architecture and energy-efficient buildings.
Potential for learning or transfer
The approach to combine old structures with modern insets or constructions to ensure flawless operation of the facility is not a new concept but since each site is specific, the results differ. And in this case, the result perfectly fits what it was intended. That is the strongest transfer point – to make the result attractive, sensitive to the original structures and use it for a purpose welcome by the local community.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Municipality of Soběslav
Czech Republic
Jihozápad
Contact
project manager