City Library Oberhausen Sterkrade
Stadtteilbibliothek Oberhausen Sterkrade is not just a city library. Located in the Sterkrade district of Oberhausen, Germany, it has been transformed into a place for culture and events, attracting visitors across all generations, since its move to current premises in March 2016.
UKW Innenarchitekten, an interior design practice based in Krefeld, was enlisted as part of the project to relocate the library from an old, run down 1960s building with limited access, to a 15,600 square foot site just across the road. The current site is on one level giving much more accessibility for wheelchairs, as well as incorporating a color scheme to help those with visual impairments navigate their way through the library.
Vivid colours
With such a large space, freestanding shelves and seating have been installed to separate areas along with fixed seating on the walls to surround specific sections. With thoughtful attention to design, different colours are used to segment sections such as reading, games and topic areas. The vivid colours are inspired by the ceiling colours in the existing building and the high contrasting colours, seen in both the interior and surrounding architecture, provide graphic directions for visitors to different areas of the library.
The library features standard furniture and also bespoke designs, giving the space its own unique identity and autonomy. Camira’s fabric is used on the seating throughout, including Halcyon Cedar in Nutmeg, Lake, Tiger-Lily, Gooseberry and Botanic with Blazer Plymouth also featuring on a selection of the seats.
Founded nearly 10 years ago, UKW Innenarchitekten’s interior design team works closely with public authorities focussing on projects for city, district and university libraries. UKW also work with medical practices, offices and retail.
Photography by Jens Kirchner.
