The Gladina Library in Apatity, a town in Russia, has undergone an impressive renovation by Tochka Design Studio. The primary objective was to revitalise this structure, paying homage to its historical significance while also incorporating modern elements. By merging traditional and contemporary design, Tochka crafted an enchanting space for people of all ages.
The design team A 10,700 sq. ft. Small Town Library in Russia Gets a Creative Revamp Inspired by Soviet Era Aesthetics when developing the visual concept for the project. The original architectural features and materials, such as sandstone, marble, parquet and a grand staircase, were carefully preserved to honour the rich history of the location and the modernist architecture of the building.
In regard to the building's facade, the bends in the shape of flagpoles began to evoke the image of an open book, reflecting the purpose of the building. The architects enhanced this concept by incorporating contour lighting, which highlights the soft lines and creates an intriguing effect during the polar night.
Anastasia Yukhnevich paid meticulous attention to every detail when designing the library on the ground floor, ensuring it caters to a wide range of interests and age groups. Stepping inside, you'll discover a spacious reading area perfect for diving into your favourite books, as well as a hall filled with literature from various industries. For those seeking artistic inspiration or looking to attend master classes or small meetings, an art living room awaits.
One of the library's main attractions is its diverse areas tailored to different activities and groups. Book club members can gather in a designated section adorned with semicircular sofas, creating a cosy and communal atmosphere.
Meanwhile, children have their own separate area, complete with a playful designated play space, cleverly separated by gradient curtains. The children's section offers a wide array of resources, from engaging children's books to entertaining bizibords, soft pouffes, and drawing tables.
However, the true gem of the library's interior design lies in its white marble staircase, gracefully leading visitors to the second level. A hidden coffee point, featuring vibrant orange tables and comfortable armchairs, waits to be discovered.
The upper floor of the building was divided into three areas: the Museum of Local Lore, a modern exhibition space, and a concert hall with a grand piano. The library was closed for reconstruction three years ago after hosting an exhibition from the collection of Andrey Malakhov. The exhibition organised by Moscow designers and curator Kristina Dryagina helped draw public attention to the reconstruction and increased the budget. The Tochka Design studio quickly agreed upon a design project, and work on the project began. The renovated centre now hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions, including works by Andy Warhol and Takashi Murakami, and aims to involve residents of Apatity in contemporary art.
The small room in the library, originally decorated with dermantine panels, underwent a pink makeover. After being inspired by the neon sign with the exhibition's name, Stepan Bugaev from Tochka Design combined pink accents with brown wall decoration. Fire safety requirements led to the replacement of dermantine panels with gypsum, but the room still maintains its relaxed atmosphere and tactile materials. With pastel pink upholstered sofas, a large table and matching armchairs, the room exudes an informal and stylish design.
The interior design of the library in Apatity was influenced by the cold palette of colours used on the facades. Located in the northern region adjacent to Scandinavian countries, the Murmansk region has an active cultural exchange with Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, which influenced the visual preferences of the townspeople. The combination of grey, white, and red was preserved and complemented with textured details to make it more modern. The furniture, including light wood chairs, restored armchairs, and stretched sofas, maintains the original mood of the interior. Upholstery made of velvety fabrics balances the strict finishing materials like natural marble, shell rock, and decorative plaster for concrete walls.
The designers, led by Anastasia Yukhnevich, made sure to preserve and accurately recreate the original finish, even replacing damaged marble with a suitable tone material. Bright accents, such as orange lamps and round carpets resembling the sun, brought a feeling of comfort and warmth to the interior. Mirrored ceilings and plaster mouldings added symmetry and volume to the room. The studio collaborated with St. Petersburg LED designers MDM Light to develop a special lighting system with different scenarios. The addition of minimalistic lamps and lampshades integrated into the design reduced the formality of the crystal-style chandeliers. The library in Apatity transformed into a cultural centre, aiming to make literature and art more accessible to residents.
As a result of the renovation, the library has become a space that also hosts events such as concerts, interest meetings and educational activities for children. The project involved many designers, architects, TV presenter Andrey Malakhov and more. The artist Valery Chtak also contributed to the design by creating neat paintings on the gallery walls. The frescoes, damaged during the repair work, were restored by graduates of the Surikov School who successfully captured the artist's style and the spirit of different time periods, from Cyril and Methodius to Vladimir Mayakovsky.
Photo: Varvara Chesnokova
