PERSONAL READING ROOM

This project focused on designing a small, intimately-sited, architectural insert within Sligo's public library building- A personal reading room. 

The concept for the design relates to my own personal experiences and preferences to stimulating contemplation and mindfulness. A place I particularly enjoy going to is my nearby forestry. Allowing myself to wander in this space allows me the solitude time necessary to reflect on my life and work, an inadvertent form of meditation.

The end goal for this architectural space was to induce a similar mental space: one that is a total togetherness of architecture, the body, and the mind. The organic structure derived from gothic architectural forms almost appears to be a natural extension of the library's wooden floor- nestled in its site. This structure envelops the reader, providing a comfortable reading space in ambient lighting. Natural light beaming in between wooden slats heighten the visitor’s sensory experience acoustically, tactilely, and visually. The use of natural materials was important to evoke a sense of memory and place. The oak is not only visually appealing to the user, but provides a tactile experience with a familiar fragrance creating a warm and calming atmosphere. Another key element of the design was focused on conserving and restoring the historic fabric of the church by focusing on the gothic characterises of the existing building. What I found inspiring was the way in which the structure created a high vertical void and how through its apparent weightlessness it created a harmonious relationship with the space.