Public library at Valasaravakkam Chennai

Abstract

To read is to perceive and to perceive is to be free. The thesis understands ‘reading’ beyond words, as something that provides a choice to interpret for the reader. This choice is decided by his/ her cognitive capabilities and understanding of what they perceive. Reading has become an involuntary means of communication with the evolution of symbols. However, historically the term has gained most acquaintance with books/ text. Thus, libraries were brought into existence. With the industrial revolution and the mass accessibility of books, the existence of libraries gained significance. They became places of power, identity and landmarks - adding value to the image of a city. With the evolution of the book, libraries evolved too with respect to its architecture, what it stands for and how it exists. This is reflected in the constantly evolving culture of reading. In today’s digital era, where accessibility to information has been made domestic and the reign of the internet dominates the information scenario, libraries are being seen as a dead concept. Thus, the thesis aims to enquire the very understanding of what it meant to have had a culture of reading and how can a library revive it. The modern library should exist beyond its primitive functions as a repository to redefine the role it plays in the public realm; Exploring ideologies that invite a co-learning environment which would not only emphasize collaboration across disciplines but also adheres towards social harmony. The library of today has been saturated by our conventional understanding of the space. However, the questions of tomorrow have answers from the past. To understand the greater significance of public libraries, case studies across time have been studied to understand architectural evolutions of the space and its impact on the culture of reading. The thesis attempts to revive libraries from a place of information to a place of wisdom. Embracing a multifunctional approach, the design attempts to blend different aspects of a public space that appreciates the culture of reading with an intent of creating spaces for discussions and forums that contribute towards a collaborative and co-learning environment. The design seeks to exist beyond the conventional understanding of a public library, by catering to extended possibilities of socio-cultural upliftment.