Heilbronn City Library

Following a comprehensive two-year renovation, Heilbronn City Library has been repositioned as a forward-looking place of education and encounter. Located in the inner-city cultural and shopping centre ‘Theaterforum K3’, the city library now meets the requirements for modern knowledge transfer and hybrid usage options through retreat areas and community zones, multimedia learning, events and an integrated children's and youth area. The library was deliberately designed as an open place for meeting and exchange. The central design principle was the structuring zoning of the approximately 3,500 m² area spread over two levels. The result is a versatile experience space that facilitates both concentration and interaction while also serving a strong social and cultural function – for users of all ages.

A central design element of the redesign was the modernised signage system – conceived and designed by gruppe sepia | www.gruppesepia.de | from Heilbronn in close cooperation with the city library team and implemented by signage specialists meng.

Easy navigation in the knowledge space
Particular attention was paid to designing a clearly structured orientation plan that gives users easy access to over 200,000 media items on two levels. The routing is based on a dynamic zoning of the library and specifically encourages the discovery of the various thematic and functional areas – from quiet retreats to creative reading and play niches to multimedia studios.

Typographically, a distinctive monospaced font in the style of classic typewriters characterises the guidance system, giving it a high degree of recognisability and emphasising its connection to literature and the written word. The high-contrast design ensures good legibility and is supported by internationally understandable pictograms. This ensures intercultural accessibility. Walls and window surfaces are decorated with graphic motifs that snake through the building like hands and arms, visualising the central motif of reaching and achieving.

Architectural framework: openness and structure
The Stuttgart-based firm Dittel Architekten was responsible for the renovation, reinterpreting the city library as a multifunctional space for analogue and digital knowledge transfer. A central feature of the architectural concept is a centrally positioned staircase that connects both floors and serves as a communication hub. The sculptural staircase has a dual function: it not only structures the sequence of rooms, but also forms a platform for exchange, information and relaxation with its integrated seating steps, visible treehouse-like niches and media areas. On the ground floor, it frames the guidance and information system, while on the upper floor it acts as the back wall of the spacious children's area. In this way, the staircase becomes an architectural link between movement and encounter – while at the same time supporting intuitive navigation through the building.

Colour concept: clarity, atmosphere and durability
The colour concept of Heilbronn City Library follows the principle of functional clarity and design restraint. Two contrasting colours visually structure the rooms: a deep petrol blue marks functional zones and fixtures, while a vibrant red-orange serves as an accent colour. Large-scale elements such as wall and ceiling surfaces and fixed furnishings are kept in neutral, timeless shades – complemented by warm maple wood, which gives the room a friendly, natural atmosphere. Partially white surfaces create visual calm and lightness. The use of durable, modular, interchangeable materials allows the colour and room concept to be flexibly developed further.