Llinars del Vallès | 2023
Type of Intervention: Renovation and Equipment
Dimensions: 108m²
Duration: 1.5 months
Education is a powerful tool that can change lives and pave the way for a better future. At Escola Ginebró, a cooperative school in Llinars del Vallès, this philosophy is at the heart of everything they do. Recently, the school has been the focus of one of our summer projects—transforming a neglected corridor into a modern, multifunctional library. This exciting project has revolutionized how students learn and interact with their school environment.
Before the project, the space we renovated was a forgotten corridor that went unnoticed and had no set purpose. Escola Ginebró saw potential in this space, and decided to turn it into a fully functional library. This transformation is a testament to how vision and innovation can radically change an educational environment. Today, the space is both a passageway and a reading area.
We led the renovation project in order to adapt the corridor to the needs of a modern school library. One of the most notable aspects of this project was the new flooring. The use of vinyl flooring helped delineate the two areas, the corridor and the library, providing a sense of visual differentiation.
Before and After the Renovation
The library is designed to be a fluid and multifunctional learning space.
The mobile sound-absorbing panels minimize classroom reverberation.
The new library is not only functional but also designed with both technical and aesthetic considerations in mind.
The use of vinyl flooring helped delineate the two areas: the corridor and the library, achieving a sense of visual differentiation.
The furniture was custom-designed by Efebé, incorporating unique shapes like a house, a rectangle and a circle. These shapes are not only aesthetically pleasing but also designed to enhance student comfort. The padded cushions and eco-zero acoustic materials selected ensure the library is a quiet and conducive space for reading and learning.
In addition to integrated shapes, the furniture we created includes drawers and cabinet doors for functionality and storage. A modular sofa in the center of the library, also our design, serves as the focal point of the space, surrounded by a circular bookshelf that provides easy access to books and magazines. We also included a pouf for added comfort.
One of the most interesting aspects of this library is its flexibility—central to our vision. The mobile sound-absorbing panels allow the space to be divided as needed, and control classroom reverberation. This means the library can adapt to a wide range of activities, from quiet reading to more active learning sessions.
This project highlights the renewed importance of school libraries in the Catalan educational system. The low level of reading comprehension among Catalan students is a concern for the government, and school libraries can be an important part of the solution. The Ministry of Education plans to announce a program to reactivate school libraries—essential for restoring good reading habits. These libraries should not only be spaces filled with books, they must be vibrant and attractive environments for students.
This project demonstrates how vision, innovation and commitment can radically change an educational environment. The library at Escola Ginebró is not just a learning space, it’s a great example to follow in order to revive student reading habits. With the promise of a program to reactivate school libraries, we hope to help many more schools to bring these spaces back to life.
