Rosario, Argentina

The Main Public Library of Rosario, Argentina is proposed as a Palace of the People and place of encounters for the residents of the Southern District of the City of Rosario. The project is envisioned as an exceptionally public event woven together with the existing Municipal Center by Alvaro Siza and the fabric of the neighborhood into a complementary system of urban spaces varied in character and highly public in nature.

The transparency of the library invites participation and generates spontaneous encounters within. The open plan of the building invites the visitor to travel through the library and provides maximum flexibility and a variety of spaces to read, study and lounge individually or in groups.

The new Main Library of Rosario offers the book as the main subject and event throughout the building interior. The aerial views from the Library reading rooms democratize the experience of the city and the generous public terrace at the top culminates the spiral motion through the building with extraordinary views towards the magnificent Parana River and beyond.

The building carefully develops a series of public spaces around itself to perform simultaneously as public library, square, park, social terrace and open-air theater. The Library compact approach elevates the building upon the neighborhood to become a landmark in the area.  At ground level the Library main entrance opens into a Public Square further defined by restaurants and cafes also serving the Public Park beyond. The auditorium located at ground level shares the stage towards the park and the amphitheater becoming an open air theater and further underlining the openness of the library to all.