Nestled in the town of Červený Kostelec, the Břetislav Kafka Library represents a masterful exercise in adaptive reuse, where Papundekl Architects have breathed contemporary life into a structure with deep historical roots. Completed in 2025, this 285-square-meter project converts a centuries-old inn into a luminous, multifunctional library that serves as both a repository of knowledge and a dynamic social gathering place for the Czech community.
Respecting Heritage Through Contemporary Intervention
The architectural approach honors the existing framework while introducing modern functionality. Rather than imposing an entirely new aesthetic, the design team worked meticulously within the constraints of the building’s original footprint and structural system. This thoughtful strategy preserves the essence of the former inn while allowing the space to accommodate the diverse requirements of a 21st-century library design. The result is a harmonious dialogue between past and present, where historical authenticity coexists with contemporary spatial needs.
The building’s character emerges through its carefully preserved elements—exposed ceiling beams, original window openings, and structural details that tell the story of its previous incarnation. These features anchor the design, providing a sense of continuity and place. Photography by Alex Shoots Buildings captures how natural light penetrates the renovated spaces, revealing the textural qualities of both old and new materials working in concert.
Flexible Spaces and Bespoke Furniture Systems
A defining characteristic of this project lies in its emphasis on spatial adaptability. Recognizing that libraries today serve multiple roles—from quiet reading zones to collaborative workspaces and community event venues—Papundekl Architects developed an interior that can shift configuration according to varying programmatic demands. The layout avoids rigid compartmentalization, instead offering fluid transitions between different functional areas that can be reconfigured as needs evolve over time.
Custom-designed furniture plays a pivotal role in achieving this flexibility. Rather than relying on standard library fixtures, the architects conceived modular shelving units, seating elements, and work surfaces specifically tailored to the building’s unique spatial conditions. These bespoke pieces integrate seamlessly with the historic architecture while providing contemporary ergonomics and functionality. The furniture design demonstrates sophisticated attention to proportion, materiality, and user experience, elevating the entire spatial quality of the library. This approach to interior design showcases how custom elements can transform functional requirements into design opportunities.
A Bold and Welcoming Color Palette
Color emerges as a powerful tool in defining the library’s identity and atmosphere. Moving away from the neutral, subdued tones often associated with public architecture, the design employs a vibrant palette that infuses energy and playfulness into the spaces. These chromatic interventions serve multiple purposes: they delineate different functional zones, create visual interest, guide circulation, and establish a welcoming ambiance that invites community engagement.
The color strategy extends beyond mere decoration—it becomes an integral component of the spatial experience. Bright hues punctuate reading nooks, enliven circulation paths, and highlight architectural features, creating a dynamic environment that feels both stimulating and comfortable. This approach challenges conventional expectations for library aesthetics, suggesting that cultural institutions can embrace boldness without sacrificing sophistication or functionality. The result is a space that appeals to diverse age groups and use patterns, from children seeking story time areas to adults requiring focused study environments.
Material Authenticity and Craft
Material selection throughout the project emphasizes authenticity and durability. Concrete surfaces provide structural expression and thermal mass, while maintaining the raw, honest character appropriate to the building’s history. Wood elements introduce warmth and tactility, appearing in flooring, shelving, and custom furniture pieces that soften the harder material palette. The Czech contemporary architecture scene increasingly values this balance between industrial and natural materials, as demonstrated in this project.
Lighting fixtures—supplied by manufacturers including JUNG—are strategically positioned to enhance both task-specific illumination for reading and ambient lighting that accentuates architectural volumes. The interplay between natural daylight filtering through historic windows and carefully planned artificial lighting creates varied atmospheric conditions throughout the day, supporting different activities and moods within the library environment.
Collaborative Design Process and Community Impact
The project represents the collaborative efforts of a dedicated team led by Jan Bárta, Šimon Bierhanzl, and Marek Fischer, with design contributions from Elif Avci, Lucia Čierna, Pavla Kejdanová, and Kateřina Kollárová. This collective approach ensured comprehensive consideration of programmatic, technical, and aesthetic dimensions. The team’s methodology demonstrates how contemporary architectural practice benefits from interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing diverse perspectives to complex renovation challenges.
For the residents of Červený Kostelec, the Břetislav Kafka Library provides more than a place to borrow books. It functions as a civic anchor—a shared resource that strengthens community bonds and cultural identity. By transforming an underutilized historic structure into an active public amenity, the project exemplifies responsible urban stewardship and innovative architectural thinking that prioritizes social value alongside design excellence.
Setting New Standards for Library Architecture
The Břetislav Kafka Library sets a compelling precedent for how adaptive reuse can address contemporary needs while honoring architectural heritage. Its success lies not in dramatic formal gestures but in the careful calibration of spatial organization, material choices, color application, and furniture design. These elements coalesce into an environment that feels simultaneously rooted in place and oriented toward the future.
As libraries worldwide reimagine their roles in digital-age communities, projects like this one offer valuable lessons. They demonstrate that successful cultural architecture emerges from deep engagement with context, user needs, and the inherent qualities of existing structures. The Břetislav Kafka Library stands as testament to the enduring potential of thoughtful architectural intervention to create spaces that enrich daily life and strengthen the civic fabric. Through its combination of functional intelligence, aesthetic courage, and respect for history, Papundekl Architects have delivered a project that will serve its community for generations to come.
Photography: Alex Shoots Buildings
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