Microlibrary Warak Kayu

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The library is built at Taman Kasmaran, a small square in Semarang. It represents a further step of SHAU’s tropical architecture and material experimentation, being our first building, constructed entirely from wood products available from the client who is owning a wood factory. It is intended to use a great variety of their available materials and products, ranging from plywood for the façade, laminated timber for the load bearing elements and re-used factory wood waste for interior and floor application.

The façade is a construction system based on the ‘Zollbauweise’ which was developed in the 1920’s in Germany. It works as a screen to shade and enables cross ventilation while it has a very distinctive slightly shifted diamond pattern. This pattern reminds of a mythical, local Warak (Dragon) creature, displayed during annual festivals. Hence the name Warak Kayu – Wooden Dragon. Wooden materials need more attention in terms of constructive rain water protection and therefore a large overhanging roof is envisioned. The whole building is elevated, like a traditional ‘rumah panggung’ (house on stilts), freeing the space underneath for activities, a large book stair and a dragon swing for kids.