The Biblioteca Viva Plaza Egaña is the second library developed by our office using the concept “home of the book”. For this project series, we sought to turn the classic idea of a library into a personal, warm, and pleasant place, relating to a more domestic atmosphere.

Due to the fact that this library is situated in Santiago inside of a highly frequented shopping mall, we opted for a markedly urban aesthetic with industrial touches that link the project to its surroundings. The space is structured around a central plaza, which is the nucleus of the library. In this area, attractive activities take place, such as new book releases and spoken word presentations.

Around this plaza, we designed distinct spaces for different occasions and uses: There are sections with tables and chairs, counters for working with computers, group booths, a living room, and a bleacher section. The objective is for the user to always have books within reach, without any kind of barrier toward accessing them, as if they were in their own home.