The Reading Hut

Jul 6

A cabin-like structure that allows people to flip through library books outside

This idea was originally submitted in French.

By: A4 architecture + design

The main street in Gatineau’s Aylmer district is a dynamic hub of the city where you can find shops, anchor institutions, places of worship, parks and a weekly farmers’ market.

The COVID19 pandemic has changed the boundary between public and private and enclosed spaces need to become more open to the outside. For this we must fully use and invest in streets, sidewalks and parking spaces. The different actors of Alymer’s main street are mobilizing to find solutions which in many cases involves wayfinding and signage. After undertaking an indepth study of Aylmer’s main street, a number of concepts were developed for adapted and ergonomic comfort for users. This submission focuses on one of those ideas: the library.

Libraries are important places of knowledge of which, access is an important feature. This gave us the idea to develop "The reading hut", offering users the opportunity to take the time to flip through books outside, while still staying close to the library building. First thought of as a cabin, this structure contains a simple geometry. Four walls and a gable roof, an entrance and translucent walls to take advantage of outside light, and seating. This module can be fashioned from a recycled wood pallet. It is designed to be moveable, and so can also be used in other places.

Details

Estimated budget: "The Reading Hut" requires a budget of approximately $ 850 plus tax per unit and plus labour (based on retail prices at a local hardware store). The cost includes the structural elements (brackets, angles and wood screws), paint and protector, grab bar and a hydroalcoholic gel dispenser. The cost of labour has not been included because of the simplicity of the module, allowing all those interested to do it themselves or have it built by a contractor of their choice.

Materials and manufacturing: “The reading hut” materials are: Recycled pallet (wooden block pallet), bleached water-repellent treated OSB (oriented strand board - a type of engineered wood similar to particle board) and clear PVC. All of these materials can be purchased from a local hardware store and can be easily assembled.

Manufacturing steps:

The pallet can be used in its raw state.
Cut the OSB, paint white (one coat only) and treat the surface with water repellent. Cut the PVC.
Assemble the elements using brackets, angles and wood screws.
Add the grab bar and gel dispenser.

This structure is quite simple and designed so anyone can build one. It is meant to be flexible based on the space and specific size of palett. Ideal recycled pallets should be between 90 and 1200 mm wide.

Installation and other services: The cabin can be easily moved using a pallet truck. Using pallets in the design allows for easy transport once constructed.