Redesigning of RDA URBAN LIBRARY

The RDA Urban Library is an engaging and inviting center for the daily commuters passing through Murree Road, Rawalpindi toward the Capital Territory and other adjoining areas. Its Prominent location on the main Murree Road, cantonment, between main Saddar market and old Rawalpindi makes it a well-known location. The site plays a multi role for the recreational activities, it could be, catching your next transport, towards your desired location or, taking a break from the day by getting closer to the nature, thanks to recently inaugurated Miyawaki Urban Forest (also a project of RDA). This site has a lot to offer and welcomes visitors of all ages and background. The current Design has few setbacks, the major one is that it doesn’t accommodate its visitors with a sitting area. It faces towards south, the site is exposed to direct sun and fails to provide any shade to its visitors during whole day, thus haven’t been able to attract many visitors.

The major part of the design process was to provide comfortable and attractive space for the daily commuters, which the existing design lacks. The primarily function is to align with the urban context. This articulated structure is modern yet simplistic and thus provide shade and also conceiving a new space where to wait for the bus, to read, to rest. The overall span of the bus stop is 10ft by 9ft.

The bus stop is composed by a principal steel structure, in contact with the ground. The glass windows are installed in order to diffuse direct light, on the both sides and the ceiling to keep the deep end of the site adequately luminated throughout the day (peak rush hours), thus proves its sustainability. The U-shaped concrete bench is partitioned and offers a separate seating position facing the road, thus can accommodates more people. The Wooden panels are installed on the south side and thus provide spontaneous lighting for the readers and commuters. Corrugated Alluminium sandwich panels are used with Therma pole to provide insulation. While slit roof is designed to allow the light keep the space more visible and comfortable for the readers.