Library Gabriel García Márquez

In May 2022, the Gabriel García Márquez Library opened its doors, located at 219 Treball Street, in the Sant Martí district of Barcelona.

The library, a project by architects Elena Orte and Guillermo Sevillano (Suma Arquitectura), is constructed from cross-laminated timber and features large windows to encourage the entry of natural light. Wood is the main feature both on the exterior and interior of the library. However, for some parts of the construction such as walls and pavements, pigmented concrete was used. The project aimed to blend the concrete into a wood-filled environment, using a mix of brown pigments from SC Pigments to achieve the desired color for the concrete. Wooden formwork was also used to add texture to the final finish.

The library is named after Nobel Prize in Literature winner Gabriel García Márquez and specializes in Latin American literature, encompassing the major works of narrators, poets, and playwrights from Latin America, both classic and contemporary.

Awards:

This work was awarded the International Prize for the Best Public Library of 2023, the Barcelona City Prize for Architecture, and the FAD Architecture Prize.

Project Links:

Suma Arquitectura

Arquitectura Viva