Rzeszów is increasingly boldly entering the map of cities investing in expressive architecture. The latest project, the ‘New Library’, is a good example of this. Behind the concept, which won the international competition organised by the Rzeszów City Hall and SARP, is an unusual duo: the Polish team Schick Architekci by TKHolding Truszczyński Kobierzewski and the Japanese studio Kengo Kuma & Associates, known for projects that combine poetic form with a deep respect for nature.
“Vortex of the Word”, as the winning concept was named, is not just a new cultural institution. It is a space designed as an experience – an immersion into a world of light, organic lines and soft, natural matter. The architects consciously rejected monumentality in favour of a form that flows, breathes and invites movement. The building’s spiral composition, terraced gardens and interpenetrating layers of light create a place that redefines the concept of a library. It is not just a space for reading, but an environment conducive to meeting, reflection, creative work and relaxation.
At a time when libraries are re-emerging as democratic spaces for the exchange of ideas, the project by TKHolding Truszczyński Kobierzewski and Kengo Kuma & Associates proposes an institution that is open, inclusive and deeply rooted in the fabric of the city. It is an architecture that does not dominate, but coexists – with nature, with users, with the urban rhythm.
“The Word Vortex” is a project that shows what can happen when the Polish vision and the Japanese philosophy of space reinforce each other. Rzeszów gains not only a new library, but a new reference point – a place of the future, created with the residents, their needs, their sensibilities and their daily rituals in mind. The carefully designed surroundings – green gardens, soft paths, natural materials – lead seamlessly into the interior, where each floor is another stage of the journey. The library becomes part of the landscape, and the landscape, part of the building, ” says Paweł Kobierzewski (TKHolding Truszczyński Kobierzewski).
One of the most characteristic elements of the building is the public viewing terrace. Designed as a natural extension of the library function, it opens up onto the panorama of Rzeszów, creating a space for walks, talks and moments of relaxation. The glazed openings allow a glimpse into the interior, making the boundary between the external and the internal fluid.
At the heart of the building will be the concert hall, whose architecture combines simplicity with clarity. The wooden finishes and symmetrical composition of the interior are intended to create the impression of being inside the instrument. It is a space that does not compete with the music, but gives it priority, leading the attention towards the stage and allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the sound in an almost meditative way.
Just next door, a multi-purpose room is planned – flexible, rhythmic, with a distinctive ceiling and vertical wooden elements that give it a theatrical feel. It is a place open to movement, workshops, meetings and cultural events, designed to change with the needs of users. Meanwhile, the central part of the library will be the reading room. Large skylights in the roof bring soft, natural lighting into the interior, which flows around the bookcases and work areas. The multi-level platforms create a lively, dynamic space, conducive to both concentration and spontaneous interaction.
From a bird’s eye view, the building reveals its full, organic logic. The flowing lines, the multi-layered structure and the composition of the terraces create a form that fits harmoniously into the urban context and at the same time becomes a new, distinctive accent in the skyline of Rzeszów.
“For Kengo Kuma and our team, it is a great joy to be able to co-create the ‘Word Vortex’. For years we have looked to Poland as a space close to our architectural ideas, a place where material culture, a connection to nature and a subtle sensibility create something uniquely close to us. We were delighted to accept TKHolding Truszczyński Kobierzewski’s invitation to participate in this venture. The experience of Andrzej and Paweł (founders of TKHolding Truszczyński Kobierzewski) and their way of thinking about architecture are remarkably consistent with our design philosophy, in which space is meant to serve people and tell its own story. “The Word Vortex, deeply rooted in the local spirit of Rzeszów, will be our first large-scale project in Poland, ” concludes Marcin Sapeta (Partner Kengo Kuma & Associates).
source: TKHolding
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