MVRDV based the design of the library’s interior on two fundamental principles: organizing and highlighting the book collection, and making people and their activities visible. To achieve this, the bookshelves function as architectural elements that define spaces tailored to the specific needs of each floor. On the first floor, circular shelving units create a play area for children; on the second, a cross-shaped arrangement houses a video game zone for teenagers; and on the third, small, scattered spaces accommodate activities related to various hobbies.
The interior facade is conceived as a continuous band of spaces designed for sitting, resting, working, playing, and observing the surroundings. This perimeter path integrates study zones, meeting areas, spaces for children, and greenery, all organized through varying heights and configurations. Because these interior activities are visible from the outside, they become an expression of the building’s life, reaching out to the city and inviting passersby to enter and engage with the space.
The Essen Central Library by MVRDV. Photograph by Daria Scagliola.
Project description by MVRDV
The architecture firm MVRDV, in collaboration with includi and Meyer Architekten, designed the renovation of the Boeckerhaus building, transforming it into the new Central Library of Essen. By analyzing the evolution of libraries over time—from being accessible only to a select few, to becoming an integral part of the community, and finally, in the information age, serving as a space for interaction, exchange, and learning—the team developed a design based on sociologist Ray Oldenburg’s concept of the "third place": a social environment distinct from the "first place" (home) and the "second place" (work or school).
In this way, the new Central Library will function as an inclusive and welcoming environment, serving as a social and cultural hub in the daily lives of Essen’s residents, regardless of their background or age.
"Among all architectural typologies, the library is arguably the one that has faced the greatest challenges in adapting to the new millennium."
"The Central Library of Essen offers a response to this challenge. It remains a fundamental civic building, yet it goes far beyond being merely a place to find books: it becomes an open, inviting living room for all of Essen’s diverse population. Furthermore, it provides a solution to the social fragmentation and isolation that have been on the rise over the last few decades."
Fokke Moerel, Partner at MVRDV
"For us, the human and social dimension of the design was central. How can we ensure that people feel welcome and are able to use the space in their own way? We addressed this, among other things, by creating a landscape of seating zones, casual hangout spots, and workspaces arranged at various heights along the façade. In this sense, the façade is no longer just a boundary between the library and the city; it becomes a stage for everyday life. Ultimately, it is the visitors who bring the space to life."
Aat Vos, creative director at includi and an expert on libraries conceived as "third spaces"
The interior is structured around two main concepts: showcasing the collection of materials and making people and their activities visible. To achieve this, shelving units are used to define distinct spaces for various purposes. Each floor features several groupings of shelves—referred to as "media villages"—each with its own unique identity and function: from a soft-play area integrated into a circular shelving arrangement on the first floor, to a cross-shaped video game zone for teenagers on the second, and various scattered rooms for leisure activities and hobbies on the third. Furthermore, the color palette on the lower floors—associated with more dynamic activities—tends toward vibrant, vivid tones, while the upper floors feature calmer, more subdued colors, reflecting the more private nature of the activities taking place there.
The second key element is the "active façade"—a continuous landscape composed of areas for sitting, resting, and working, positioned at varying heights. The perimeter of each floor is wrapped in a continuous band that incorporates study spaces, meeting areas, play zones, viewing points, and planters. These are visible from the outside, allowing the activities occurring within the library to become part of its outward expression toward the city.
The "active façade" functions as an interface between the city and the library, linking the public realm with the users' everyday experiences. The diversity of heights and functions creates a dynamic scene—people reading, working, conversing, or resting—where visitors themselves add even more character to the space.
Supporting the library’s social functions, a café located on the ground floor invites people to enter, while the building’s central atrium guides users toward the upper floors.
Across both the ground floor and the upper levels, visitors can explore an extensive collection of literature—ranging from a section for children and families to works of fiction, books in various languages, audiobooks, and films. There is a strong emphasis on collaborative experimentation, facilitated by dedicated creative spaces, music rehearsal rooms, and technology labs equipped with 3D printers and robotics resources.
At the same time, there are quieter zones designed for focused study and individual work. Flexible spaces accommodate both independent learning and collaborative, interactive workshops. On the top floor, the recently added "Stadt Raum" serves as an event space offering panoramic views of the entire city.
