Aabenraa Library, Denmark

A library in constant development

Over the past decade, Aabenraa Library has undergone several refurbishments and extensions. While these solutions were often necessary, they were also fragmented—small, incremental adjustments that addressed immediate needs.

With the most recent redesign, the library has taken a decisive step forward. The brief was clear: to transform the existing library, reuse as much of the current furniture and fittings as possible, and reimagine a new universe of inviting spaces that meet the diverse needs of the many visitors who use the library.

With respect for what already existed, and with a clear view towards the library of the future, large parts of the building have now been rethought and brought together in one coherent narrative. The non-fiction area has been temporarily retained, while the rest of the library—including the children’s and young people’s areas—has undergone a comprehensive renewal.

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Rooms within the room

Clear and intuitive zones

One of the key challenges was to create clearly defined zones within the large, single-room library. The solution is an interior concept based on smaller “rooms within the room”, making it intuitive to understand who each area is designed for. The children’s area is low, open, and colourful, while the adult area is defined by taller shelving and a calmer, more structured atmosphere.

Librarian Liselotte Barker describes it this way:

“We focused on giving the children’s area more space, despite the challenges of defining zones in a single-room library. We now have much more clearly defined areas, so it is easier to see who each space is intended for.”

Shelving has been rebuilt into smaller, mobile sections on castors, making the library flexible and easy to reconfigure for events and changing needs. Throughout the library, carefully selected wall colours, graphic solutions, and carpets have been introduced to give the entire building new life. The richly coloured carpets, with thoughtfully chosen patterns, help create a vibrant and inspiring library while adding a homely sense of comfort that opens the spaces and makes it feel welcoming.

In addition, new graphics, small seating caves in varied shapes and colours, acoustic solutions, and distinctive lighting frame each “room within the room” in a fresh and lively way.

Children's area as an experience

Rooted in the local environment

Today, the children’s area occupies a significant part of the library—both physically and experientially. A larger, more cohesive environment has been created, with a long communal table acting as a natural focal point for play, immersion, and shared activities.

At the entrance to the children’s area, the blue staircase has been given a bold and colourful upgrade, inspired by the colours and shapes of local artist Franziska Clausen. This strong local reference creates a visual marker and clearly signals that visitors are entering a special universe. In the “sea area”, a new lighthouse has moved in, its rotating light referencing Aabenraa’s industrial harbour and inviting both play and relaxed stays for children and adults alike.

The children’s universe is completed by a reading tree and a small “reading forest”, encouraging calm moments, closeness, and shared reading. The existing white picture-book browsers have been given new coloured end panels, and small seating spots have been integrated between the browsers so children and their families can sit right in the middle of the literary landscape.

In addition, a new and exciting gaming area has been created—featuring a familiar classic: an arcade machine that brings together generations around play and nostalgia.

Reuse as a guiding principle

Furniture with new life

Reuse is not a detail at Aabenraa Library—it is a core principle. Existing shelving, furniture, and even building materials have been reused and integrated into the new interior. This supports sustainability, responsible use of resources, and a relaxed, lively atmosphere where small surprises emerge throughout the library.

Old floorboards have been transformed into new coffee tables, mobile planters, seating podiums, and PC desks.

“We have focused strongly on reuse and benefited greatly from the feedback you (Lammhults Biblioteksdesign, ed.) provided throughout the process—particularly in relation to reusing existing furniture, shelving, and reclaimed building materials,” says Liselotte.

The colour scheme has likewise been developed from what was already there, ensuring the library reads as a coherent whole rather than a new layer added on top of the old.

The result is a library where reuse, functionality, and aesthetics work hand in hand—and where children, young people, and adults can clearly find their place. Design and interior projects developed in collaboration with Aabenraa Library are always both inspiring and a great pleasure for our design team.

Before and after images

See the transformation at Aabenraa Library

Before and after: Welcome area 

Before and after: Entrance at the children’s area

Before and after: Shelving and display furniture

Before and after: "The Square"

Inspiration

Products used at Aabenraa Library