广场 (Garden Square for Friends Library)

Educational street space

Libraries have changed, and now the space next to them must change. The square is designed to be perceived differently from all sides. Art objects capture the attention of passers-by and attract them inside the square. This is a spatial puzzle that people solve themselves. Together with the library, we chose the word "WORDS", one of the three-dimensional vertical letters, in the letter "L" - there are shelves for book crossing. Natural colors and materials are used to create a calm atmosphere that can instantly transform into a cheerful one depending on the event.

This is a flexible space that adapts to the desired actions. Under the canopy you can arrange a lecture, speech, or exhibition. Along the path to conduct a quest, in the area of decorative games at the entrance – a chess tournament, play a big Scrabble or other games painted on tiles.

 Innovation for the district

We take care of the urban landscape by adding a new feature. Trees were saved and added, and plants were planted that attract insects, and therefore birds that disappear in cities. Before the New year, residents themselves planted a Christmas tree. For the first time in this area, fiber-reinforced concrete was used – durable and eco-friendly. Lightning – economical led lamps. The Safe city program provides video surveillance and security.

All this became possible thanks to the initiative budgeting project “Your budget”, which allows you to distribute part of the budget funds to the ideas of citizens. ~15 million rubles are allocated annually from the city budget for each district participating in the project. It turned out to be a unique educational space for St. Petersburg. In November 2019, the square was recognized as the best improvement of the cultural object at the city review competition.

Square – a catalyst for change

From the very beginning of the project, we relied on long-term observations of the library staff on the local community, visitors and life around them. The appearance of the square expanded the audience of readers.

The square has become a favorite place for young mothers with babies. Single benches suddenly became popular to them, because it is convenient to put strollers next to them. And now, thanks to the square, the library has a new community “Mom and Me”, once a week they hold their own events. And the library is now reorganizing the space for a new category. Soon there will be a coworking space for moms and a new space for the youngest visitors where moms and children can communicate with each other. In addition, artist communities are now joining, and they plan to strengthen their interaction with local community through art practices.

So through architectural solutions, we enhance the significance of the place and transform it into the real heart of the quarter. It is proposed to obtain a bright and useful object. In addition, it seems to us that the square sets a new level of improvement for the nearest houses and the entire area.