Overview
Naalukettu
A Library concept design
How can we design a library that takes somaesthetics into consideration?
Our experience of ourselves and our world is always embodied and involves somatic responses and feelings that are typically unnoticed. How can we elevate those responses in a way it could provide a deeper understanding, meaning for an individual to engage their unconscious bodily perceptions with the aesthetic experience of interaction? Designing for these responses can provide the individual with a holistic experience.
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Here is a concept experience design for a Library that I have designed to elevate my some aesthetic experience.
Project
Self-directed inquiry
Concept
Shrouded in the woods, a very quaint and whimsical little library, offering the best of tranquillity, peace, and an avid collection of books. I want to offer to people one of the lost pleasures in this day and age, a place of absolute calm where people can hear their own thoughts without their phones and other gadgets to disturb them. I want this space to be their safe space where they can indulge in the pleasure of reading books. The weight of the book in one’s hand, smell of the pages, notes left by previous book owners are all simple pleasures in life.
I want to provide this space a sense of warmth and coziness one would find in their homes or safe haven. The wooden paneled ceilings, leather couches, chaarukaseras (traditional relaxing chairs), walls portraying artwork from the local artists, shelves lined with books old and new, hidden spots in walls and between bookshelves for stretching legs and having your moments, indoor plants, sulaimaani tea to sip on, and of course as I cannot devoid people from their technological needs, offer WIFI.
The Naalukettu infrastructure is a throwback to Kerala traditional ‘nadumuttam’ style. The concept I want to imbibe is space for book lovers and to bring back this fast disappearing heritage. Sloping roofs and pillared verandas are an added charm. There is an open space-nadumuttam that offers sufficient light and ventilation. It is one of the most desired styles of home as it offers a spot to enjoy the monsoons. This resonates a sense of belonging amongst all who come here to read.
The naming convention of the Library as ‘Naalukettu’ is also inspired from recipient of Jnanapith Award, MT Vasudevan Nair’s novel of the same Title which portrays familial relations in a traditional Nair joint family.
Curation
Sringaram (Love)
Romance, friendship, love, Meta-fiction, Poems
Karuna (Compassion)
Self-care, Self-Help
Veeryam (Courage)
Action, Adventure, Epics, Historical-fiction, Mystery
Action, Adventure, Epics, Historical-fiction, Mystery
Roudram (Anger, Revenge)
Thriller, Great Tragedies, Classics
Hasyam (Laughter)
Comedy, Comics, Manga, Satire
Bhayanakam (Fear)
Horror, Paranormal, Gothic Fiction
Albutham (Wonder)
Fantasy, Fiction, Fairy Tale, Fable, Folktales, Mythology
Shaantham (Peace)
Religious Books, Non-Fiction, Theological Fiction
The titles chosen to stack books on shelves is taken after the Nava Rasangal in the Kerala dance form Kathakali. The Navarsangal imbibe the feelings and the way we express ourselves. There is also an added humour element to the naming convention. This is also inspired by a very famous comedic dialogue by veteran actor Sri Jagathy Sreekumar of the Malayalam film industry from the movie, ’Udayan Aanu Thaaram’, that everyone from Kerala is aware of! Again we are repurposing the idea of the rich heritage and culture of this State.
Floor plan
1. Entrance
2. Librarian's corner
3. Tea bar
4. Nadumuttam
5. Patio
6. Bookshelves
7. Bookshelves
The experience
I am sitting next to the window, curled up on a cozy couch. I can see the rain falling against the window next to the pot of the indoor plants. The plants wish they were out there, under the rain to get drenched. The dark day is getting darker and darker. The lightning shines in the front yard for a fraction of a second revealing the grooving trees under the grey clouds.
I can hear all the monsoon sounds outdoor through the windowpane; the sound of the rain falling on the pebbles below, the almost fainted howling of the wind, the frogs calibrating their pitch to be heard, the thunder of clouds, and crickets singing in the rain. The sounds are captivating as if they are calling out to me to be part of their stage. I can almost hear nothing but quietness indoors, only the movement of the second-hand of the clock, making its way to the future, to break the silence, the turning of pages once in a while, and fainted footsteps.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath of fresh air. The petrichor mixed with the smell of old and new books awakens my sense of smell. I enjoy that solitude and the peace that goes with it. I took the offered bookmark and placed it between the pages. I ran my finger down the bound book cover, giving one last look before I bid farewell. I walked with my bare feet through the tiny passages between the bookshelves to find its home. The wooden floor creaks as I walk. Hence I make my way very slowly and carefully. I finally see the 'Veeryam' bookshelf where I carefully placed the book back. I gazed upon other book titles for a while. The sudden wind makes me shiver. I walked towards the girl offering sulaimaani tea near the nadummuttam. The feet feel a tingling sensation from the tiny droplets falling from the slanted rooftop. The hot teacup against my cold fingers keeps my body warm. I walked out to the patio and watched the rainfall for some time before I walked back in, taking in the smell of books, back to my spot.
The library has become a safe haven for me. I can see people of different ages reading, some sitting alone buried in their own world within the spaces of the bookshelves, and some sitting in groups, to feel a sense of belonging. I often notice older people sitting in chaarukaseras telling tales of their life or reading parts of their already-read books with each other.
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The golden warm light makes me want to stay here much longer. I watched the books on the shelves waiting for me to read them and explore their tale.
Reflection
Growing up in an estate, I stay in a quaint village, I did not have much to entertain myself other than the nature around me, the books at home, and I enjoyed that. This inquiry made me visualize what I can offer to other booklovers through my experience. People from the cities often admire my hometown for it greenery and tranquillity and those truly are simple pleasures in life.
The library I envision has comfy couches, no loud music, open spaces, lots of sunshine and rain. This is essentially my comfort space and safe haven, my home. The readers are given personalised bookmarks that they can leave in the books so when they come back for them, they don’t feel unfamiliar and provides a sense of belonging. Staying true to my roots is something that I value and hence the architectural design is encompassing of the same. It offers the readers open spaces so that they don’t feel stuffy and they can enjoy their books in the glass rooms, or amidst books, or putting their feet on the ground in the ‘nadumuttam’.
I have always had a keen interest in observing abstract & geometric patterns, colours and shapes. The books are stacked under their titles but colour coded with their spine outward. The placing of the Sulaimani tea bar is right at the entrance so that readers are welcomed by the fragrance of freshly brewed tea. The reading couches are spread out, the chaarukaseras are in the nadumuttam, there are high stools for taking books from the top racks of the shelves and comfy sofas inbuilt in the shelves. This is what I would like the library to offer- the fresh air, unpolluted surroundings, a place to belong, no judgements passed, just you, books and the nature around you and also more tea!