De Los Molinos Library / Estudio DIIR

Architects: Estudio DIIR
Area: 260 m²
Year: 2023
Photography: Luis Díaz Díaz
Construction: Manile
Program: Public Library / Cultural
Promoter: Ayuntamiento de Los Molinos
City: Los Molinos
Country: Spain

A former school complex transformed into the new municipal library in Los Molinos underscoring a significant cultural revitalization. Spearheaded by Estudio DIIR following their 2018 public competition victory, this project reimagines the old school’s structures to meet contemporary civic needs. The design cleverly converts old classrooms and dormitories into vibrant cultural spaces, featuring a public square and a cultural center.

Formerly, the site served specific educational purposes, but it has since been transformed to accommodate new functions. The playground has been converted into a public square, classrooms have been reimagined as a cultural center, and the former teachers’ dormitories now house the municipal library.

The redesign of the first floor was crucial to integrating this space within the building’s broader cultural activities. A newly designed semicircular communication core was added, centrally positioned to link various parts of the building. Adjacent to the main entrance, a reception area featuring a wooden bench follows the semicircular motif, setting the tone for the interior journey.

A principal hallway serves as the core access point to the various rooms, its pathway emphasized by wooden paneling that enhances the flow toward each space. This linear zone not only guides movement but also visually unites the different areas within the library.

The interior design is marked by a warm palette with vertical wooden surfaces and strikingly colored linoleum red on select floors, providing a vivid contrast to the predominantly white walls and ceilings. This color scheme accentuates the unique architectural feature of the vaulted roof, which becomes a focal point within the space.