The new libraries of Singapore

Photo: National Library Board, Singapore

Petrisson Teo, writing for Urban Wire, visits new libraries in Singapore, focusing particularly on the specialist design library, library@orchard, the centrepiece of the National Library Board's plans for Singapore. 

Built around the theme, Design is for Everyone, the new library carries the largest public library collection on design and applied arts. It also features creative spaces for visitors to try their hand at design and share ideas with others. library@orchard is the first public library to span across two storeys in a shopping mall.

library@orchard is the first public library that sought public feedback and suggestions for its design, collection, services and purpose. NLB worked closely with some 30 students and lecturers from the Singapore Polytechnic Design-Thinking Team to develop several unique spaces and features for the library. The team then gathered visitor feedback through focus groups and a prototype exhibition, and fine-tuned the designs to meet the needs of library users.

The Loft, which occupies the upper level, is a cosy attic-like space dedicated to provide people with comfortable nooks and crannies to read, discover and think about design ideas. Visitors can enjoy over 45,000 design-related titles, categorised into design clusters of People, Space, Products, Visual and Lifestyle.