Images and text description provided by the Architects.
The new CREA library stands as the culmination of an ambitious project aimed at revitalizing the school’s former library. This endeavor seeks to harness the inherent spatial potential and double-height configuration, thereby giving rise to an innovative and unconventional pedagogical milieu.
The genesis of the library’s design can be traced back to a closely-knit collaboration involving architects, students, and educators. Through their active participation in creative workshops, these stakeholders embarked on a journey of imagination and expression. The confluence of insights derived from these workshops, coupled with the aspiration to forge a connection with the lineage of international children’s literature, culminated in the thematic selection of the “forest” as the project’s central motif.
The rationale behind embracing the forest as a wellspring of inspiration can be traced to its enchanting and symbolic essence, emblematic of adventure, intrigue, liberty, and communion with the natural world. The CREA library envisions itself as a realm of exploration, offering students a platform to creatively and uninhibitedly engage with the elements of nature.
A distinctive hallmark of the library’s interior design is its adeptness at adapting to the distinct requirements spanning the various phases of students’ academic journeys. Ranging from the pre-school zone christened “Little Researchers,” which draws inspiration from wetlands and seamlessly incorporates aqueous hues and textures, to the flexible, double-height learning expanse reminiscent of a sylvan landscape, with tree-like manifestations adorning columns and ethereal clouds gracing the ceiling.
The library’s spatial configuration encompasses dedicated zones, including the thoughtfully conceived “Playscape,” tailor-made for interactive activities that seamlessly interweave play and learning.
Within this realm, elements such as stepped formations, cozy nests, and enigmatic alcoves engender varied spatial experiences.
Notably, stone-shaped cushions and life-sized animal footprints etched on the floor converge to forge an immersive encounter.
A focal attraction is the “Learnscape” zone, a realm characterized by adaptability and flexibility, ensconced within the double-height expanse. The architecture is punctuated by sculpted arboreal features enveloping columns, complemented by acoustic cloud formations gracing the ceiling. The milieu is further enriched by mobile furnishings and an elevated alcove, affording students an exceptional sanctuary for study and exploration.
The upper echelon of the library finds its purpose in catering to high school students, envisaged as a co-working hub akin to university settings.
This precinct champions collaborative endeavors and boasts an array of amenities, including interactive screens and pliant furnishings, thereby cultivating an environment conducive to the pursuit of knowledge.
In summation, the CREA library emerges as a testimony to the potency of collaboration and the verve of creativity within the realm of education. Kindled by the mystique of the forest, it offers an arena for exploration, creative erudition, and the emancipation of the student’s spirit.
The library’s one-of-a-kind design is deftly calibrated to the diverse echelons of educational progression, thereby engendering an environment both enriching and dynamically transformative for the holistic educational fraternity.
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Cite: “CREA Library, Newman School, Cajicá, Colombia / CR+A 5 February 2026. GLSN. Accessed . https://theglsn.com/crea-library-newman-school-cajica-colombia-cra/