The Robinhood Library is a pro-bono project done for the Robinhood Library Initative. Creating elementary school libraries for New York City Public Schools where 65% of the children are reading below grade level and 75% of the children are receiving food programs, the goal of the Initative is to increase literacy for the citiest poorest children.
This library is conceived as a reading playground. The play here is the intertwining of bookshelves with both the space of the library and the furniture of the library. Lower bookshelves create three spaces defining the library usage. Bookshelves become presentation amphitheater, computer desk, and librarians desk. Shallow ramps wrap these areas giving a dynamic relief that engages the children in an exploration of the perimeter bookshelves. Window seats at this perimeter are an equally playful intersection of the library with the public corridor, inviting all to enter.
