The Sea Library

Etat Arkitekter Ab (ETAT Architects) was commissioned by Art Setouchi to design a library located on Awashima island in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan. The new library is housed in an existing heritage-classified building from the 1920’s located on the port’s sea front. ETAT’s refurbishment is designed to highlight the material and spatial qualities of the existing wooden building and to enhance it’s relationship to the sea.

For new additions the predominant material is brass, which is used as wall surface, for fittings and for the 3,6 x 3,6 meters reading table. The library was conceived as a regional development project in order to revitalise Awashima and the project was part of the art and architecture triennale Setouchi International Triennale 2013.

Etat Arkitekter Ab: Erik Törnkvist, Architect SAR/MSA MA Arch. and Malin Belfrage, Architect SAR/MSA MA Arch.