Living Knowledge:
A Tiny Library

This library is my response to the 2025 Tiny Library competition that asked participants to envision a library in a place that would most benefit from a more readily available source of education in rural or remote locations. This project was placed among the international top 50 finalists. My response was to place a replicable model for a library in remote conditions where access to knowledge was disrupted due to weather conditions cutting off unmaintained roads. 

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This library responds by offering a vital local hub—an intergenerational space for learning, gathering, and cultural exchange. More than a repository of books, it strengthens community ties and preserves Indigenous knowledge. Designed with sustainability in mind, the building uses a slab-on-grade foundation and wooden joinery techniques to ease disassembly and employs mostly natural, untreated materials.

 

While minimal non-biodegradable elements are necessary, they are installed with future reuse in mind. If abandoned, the structure can naturally return to the land, minimizing environmental impact. Living Knowledge is inspired by Indigenous building traditions, using natural materials and glulam beams that echo the form of wigwams and longhouses.

 

The curving structure blends with the forest, creating a space that feels both open and sheltered. Each area supports community needs while reflecting Indigenous ways of gathering. A café fosters sharing of food traditions, a Digital Lab enables language and storytelling projects, and at the core, the sharing circle serves as a cultural hearth where elders and youth connect through intergenerational exchange.