Dietrich Untertrifaller: New Dornbirn public library

In 2015 the town of Dornbirn, in Austria, announced a competition for construction of a new public library, won by international design studio Dietrich Untertrifaller Architekten. The site on which the new building was to stand was a small lot southeast of the city centre, a green area surrounded by two schools, the old town hall, a theatre and a villa, which at the time housed the main library. Beyond these buildings, the area was primarily residential, with plenty of space for gardens.

Mayor Andrea Kaufmann and his council realised that the town did not have a public place for education in the new media, important for all generations but especially for children. Education in use of the media and technology had to take the form of direct experience, sharing and listening to others.

The most striking aspect of the project presented by…