SINGAPORE, 11 December 2015 – library@orchard scored a momentous birthday present when it was awarded the President*s Design Award Singapore (PDA) for its outstanding interior design today.
As it celebrates its first anniversary since reopening in October 2014, library@orchard is honoured to receive Singapore’s most prestigious design accolade, an award conferred by the President of the Republic of Singapore. The award, which was set up in 2006, is administered by the DesignSingapore Council and the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
The library, which is located in Orchard Gateway shopping mall, is the first public library to blend ideas and insights from over 900 members of the public into its design, collection, services and purposes – living up to its theme of Design is for Everyone.
It was developed in collaboration with some 30 students and lecturers from the Singapore Polytechnic Design-Thinking team.
The library@orchard design philosophy was built on a process of Design Thinking, which engaged both users and non-users to understand their experiences and changing habits in the use of media and social spaces. Based on this, the library was designed to integrate print with digital media and to encourage learning through co-created spaces.
Its iconic curved bookshelves are but one of the design strategies used to draw visitors deeper into the library. Other features such as the Cocoons, formed of curved timber panels at the end of bookshelves, provide private nooks for private and intense reading. Adding to the ambience, low light reflected off white walls, combined with natural wood flooring and features create a cosy environment to read and learn.
One of the biggest challenges of designing library@orchard was striking the right balance of a familiar ambience for the more traditional user, while integrating design elements to intrigue and excite the more design-conscious user. To this end, the library’s design successfully integrates the elements of space, lighting, sound, graphics and technology to present an inspirational and welcoming space for everyone.
“We are delighted that library@orchard has won this prestigious award. library@orchard is a unique library that combines aesthetics and user-centric experiences. We hope that more people will visit this library to read and learn, and participate in programmes on various design topics,” said Ms Catherine Lau, Assistant Chief Executive, Public Libraries, National Library Board.
The library is open to the public daily from 11am to 9pm except on public holidays. More information on the library can be found at www.nlb.gov.sg and the library’s programmes are detailed on http://www.nlb.gov.sg/golibrary/.