Increasing interest in reading? Microlibrary, multifunctional and sustainable community spaces

The Warak Kayu Microlibrary is the latest project in the Microlibrary series, an initiative that aims to increase interest in reading by creating socially performative spaces using environmentally conscious design and materials

In a small public square in Semarang, Indonesia, community and government agree to design and build Shau Indoonesia's Warak Kayu Microlibrary, which is managed by a charitable group and aims to serve lower income neighborhoods

Warak Kayu Microlibrary is the first wooden building in Semarang, an educational place built entirely of wood with the raised structure like a traditional house on stilts that frees up space underneath for various activities and a wooden swing. The stairs leading to the library are partly designed as a grandstand with seating

A ring of planters creates a more intimate semi-outdoor space. Upstairs in the library is a net where children can lie down, relax, play, read, and communicate with parents and friends below. This multi-program approach is important, as reading alone is not yet considered a fun activity in the country

The library is designed around aspects of passive climate design: no air conditioning is used. Diffuse reflected sunlight is designed for reading without artificial lighting, thus saving energy. The performative, deep brise-soleil facade is inspired by the Zollinger Bauweise, a German building system from the 1920s with its distinctive diamond pattern that reminds us of the mythical local Semarang creature "WarakNgendog" and its dragon-like skin. Hence the name Warak Kayu in Indonesian meaning wooden Warak