Permeable barriers: long past the days of reclusive scroll-keeping, modern community libraries blend social gathering into many of its services.

Library / Supervised by Jaliya Fonseka / ARCH193

The Junction / Toronto, ON

Thick, obtrusive walls don’t seem to suit the community spirit of public libraries today. “Agora”, invoking the ancient Greek gathering-space, uses rope-barriers that users can pull aside to phase through a space. This library, situated in Toronto’s “Junction”, also includes a playground for young children on the first floor.