Kengo Kuma designs Polish library that blends nature and literature

The Wir Słowa (Spiral of Words) Library in Rzeszów, Poland, is a competition-winning, nearly 19,000 m² design by Kengo Kuma & Associates with collaborators that uses sustainable timber and steel in a spiraling plan to unite reading spaces with rooftop gardens and park landscaping.

The project is a competition-winning design for the Wir Słowa Library in Rzeszów, Poland, by Kengo Kuma & Associates in collaboration with Schick Architekti, Buro Happold and MASU Planning. The building is conceived as a spiraling form that aims to create a symbolic and physical journey through culture and knowledge. Interiors emphasize openness and fluid movement, with a central lobby lit from above and library spaces unfolding in a continuous spiral. Landscape work extends the concept into parkland, rooftop gardens and green islands around the building. Key details: - The design spans nearly 19,000 square meters and was praised by the competition jury for originality and city-shaping presence. - The structure uses sustainable timber and steel in a compact, streamlined form intended to meet program requirements efficiently. - A central atrium brings natural light into the heart of the building while reading areas and event spaces are integrated along the spiral. - MASU Planning’s landscape design includes ground-level green islands for ecological buffering and water retention, plus rooftop gardens on each level. Summary: The proposal positions the Spiraling Words library as a civic landmark that brings together nature, culture and everyday life through architecture and landscape. Undetermined at this time.