‘taltal public library’ by murúa-valenzuela, taltal, chile image © macarenaalvarez

south of the city of antofagasta, within the coastal town of taltal, chile is the recently completed ‘taltal public library’ by chilean practice murúa-valenzuela. overlooking a central square, the building forms a cultural network by linking to the historical theater while creating a variety of internal reading atmospheres with diverse roof and ceiling heights. placed upon a 40 meter long and 7 meter wide site, the long and narrow configuration defined the spatial organization, utilizing large skylights to brighten the interior’s three storeys.

murúa valenzuela: taltal public libraryground level reading room image © macarenaalvarez

reaching a height of 7 meters, the building’s side wall enclosures were predicted to become a dominant visual presence within the area, towering above the small-scale surrounding structures. totaling 80 meters in length, the boundaries were viewed as facades instead of as walls which merely divide the bordering property lines. an applied texture within the concrete formwork replicates intricate designs found in the neighboring alhambra theater and other venues within the district while color changes were incorporated during the cementing process to break up the monotony.

murúa valenzuela: taltal public library(left) skylight illuminates the reading room from above (right) school girls using the facility images © macarenaalvarez

murúa valenzuela: taltal public librarybookshelf image © macarenaalvarez

murúa valenzuela: taltal public libraryimages © macarenaalvarez

murúa valenzuela: taltal public libraryimages © macarenaalvarez

murúa valenzuela: taltal public libraryground level image © macarenaalvarez

murúa valenzuela: taltal public library(left) glass doors border the neighboring wall clad with wooden planks (right) upper level reading room images © macarenaalvarez

murúa valenzuela: taltal public libraryopen light well illuminates ground level courtyard image © macarenaalvarez

murúa valenzuela: taltal public libraryimages © macarenaalvarez

murúa valenzuela: taltal public libraryimage © macarenaalvarez

murúa valenzuela: taltal public library(left) rooftop terrace (right) upward view of vaulted ceiling images © macarenaalvarez

murúa valenzuela: taltal public libraryview from the street images © macarenaalvarez

murúa valenzuela: taltal public libraryview of the textured side walls image © macarenaalvarez

murúa valenzuela: taltal public library overview of taltal, chileimage © macarenaalvarez

murúa valenzuela: taltal public libraryexample of the local historical designs and patterns image © macarenaalvarez

murúa valenzuela: taltal public libraryexample of the local historical designs and patterns image © macarenaalvarez

murúa valenzuela: taltal public library modelimage © macarenaalvarez

murúa valenzuela: taltal public library site plan

murúa valenzuela: taltal public library floor plan / level 0

murúa valenzuela: taltal public library floor plan / level 1

murúa valenzuela: taltal public library floor plan / level 2

murúa valenzuela: taltal public library street elevation

video © nicolas rupcich

project info:

architects: benjamín murúa, rodrigo valenzuela location: taltal, chile – region of antofagasta
 development: ximena vallejos, miguel mallea project year: 2008
 construction: 2009-2010