Industrial conversion

Wide-angle view of a modern library interior with tall bookshelves filled with books, overhead lights, and exposed steel beams supporting a white ceiling. A wooden floor and tables are visible in the center aisle.

Åbo Akademi Arkens bibliotek

From ore to lore: this former iron mill in Finland's old capital is now the arts faculty library.
A spacious former industrial building interior with high arched ceilings, glass walls, and open walkways. A central staircase leads to upper levels, with workspaces and offices visible on both sides. The area is well-lit and empty.

Bibliothèque UHA La Fonderie, Mulhouse

From heavy industry to a foundry of ideas, this symbol of the "French Manchester" is now a bustling university campus.
Interior of a library in a converted industrial building with exposed brick walls. A central information desk is staffed by a person. Shelves filled with books surround the area. A display with pamphlets is on the right.

Bibliotheek Oog in Al, Utrecht

Through fire and pestilence, from farmer cooperative pride to beloved community centre, the history of the Cereolfabriek is far from over.
Interior of an industrial space converted into a library with a multistory roof lit by clerestory windows supported on iron beams and poles. A mezzanine crosses the space with stairs on either side. We see bookshelves at the back and a service counter with two people interacting at the front.

Bibliothèque Méjanes – Allumettes, Aix-en-Provence

A former safety match factory has been home to the Aix en Provence public library since 1989. Soon to be renovated, this space is a beautiful example of adaptive reuse of industrial spaces.
Interior of the Henri-Bourassa library. A service desk is in the front. The left wall is whitewashed brick with curved openings. A row of shelves topped by a mezzanine is at the right.

Bibliothèque Henri-Bourassa, Montréal

An unusual example of adaptive reuse, the Henri-Bourassa library in North Montreal occupies a former Hydro-Québec substation.