public library clad in washed wood is integrated into the Warsaw forest

Ambient Architects integrates a library into a wooded landscape

Designed by Ambient Architects, the Public Library in Choszczówka, Warsawit is located within a detached house characterized by pre-war housing, abundant greenery and a limited supply of public spaces. The building houses reading areas for adults and children, a multifunctional meeting room, space for children’s activitiesand district administrative offices library network. The lobby is designed as a flexible space for informal work, short meetings and laptop use.

The surrounding green space extends the indoor program outdoors, allowing seasonal use for reading, educational activities and community events. The absence of fencing maintains continuity between the building and its wider landscape. The site, previously a clearing crossed by informal footpaths used as shortcuts by residents, informed the spatial organization of the project. As the building intersects these routes, entrances are positioned to align with existing traffic patterns, while a parallel passageway is introduced adjacent to the structure to maintain traffic through the space. The open character of the plot is maintained, continuing the informal use and landscape qualities.

all images courtesy of Ambient Architects

Timber construction and flexible spaces define the Public Library

The architectural response emphasizes the continuity of the material with the environment through the use of wooden facade cladding, natural planting strategies and mineral paving surfaces. The program responds to a variety of demands from library users, local residents and NGOs, resulting in a flexible spatial layout. The conference room is designed for multiple configurations, supporting library classes, meetings and public events, and can be combined with the lobby to create a larger shared space. Furniture systems are designed for easy reconfiguration and storage, allowing for different spatial arrangements and extending usability beyond standard operating hours.

The building by Ambient Architects Studio it uses a hybrid structural system based on prefabricated timber elements, with a staircase and elevator core made of precast concrete. The main structure consists of glulam, while the wood-framed wall panels incorporate wood fiber insulation. The facade is finished with heat-treated pine boards, complemented by wooden frames. Structural timbers and concrete core walls are intentionally left exposed, while interior finishes include plywood paneling, wood wool panels, wood slat ceilings and linoleum flooring. Material selection prioritizes environmental impact, reusability, recyclability and indoor air quality. The building is served by a heat pump system, supported by photovoltaic panels that partially offset the electricity demand. Rainwater is directed into rain gardens and stored in a holding tank to irrigate the surrounding vegetation.

main entrance and wooden facade