Library committed by C.E.I. Conferenza Episcopale Italiana
image: Emilio Caravatti | © all rights reserved
image: Emilio Caravatti | © all rights reserved
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In the periphery of a town 20km far from the capital of Republic of Mali, between tall mango trees carefully preserved, a public library completed with an informatics room has been designed onto a triangular shaped terrain. The main use is mainly intended for young boys and girls between 12 and 18 years old. The project arises inside a bigger picture of collaboration within the existent public structures for education operating on the territory. The library is unique in its genre. In fact the ultimate goal is to improve the educational quality by providing spaces to enjoy activities and receive support for reading, in-depth analysis of the culture, informatics courses, and possibilities for the youngsters to use internet connection to have further access to global knowledge resources.
Inside the volumes and on the wall surrounding the area are local paintings centered on educational themes regarding learning and local culture. Those paintings are illustrated by the recovery of drawings of the old cultural tradition called Bambarà executed by the local artist Alphonse Traorè.
A thin folded metal sheet covers and connects the composition of different simple volumes. The volumes play on the role of the trees to channel the view from the inside towards the outside. The entry to the building is a courtyard delimited by existent trees carefully preserved as resource -from the place-for the place, and it is also the main atrium of the whole complex.
The outdoor spaces for reading and teaching are shaded partially by roof sheet protruding from the volumes. However the main shadow is supplied by the vegetation, essential in contributing in a natural climate control.
