The Xila Freedom Town Library is situated on the northern bank of the Tagus River. The site was originally a rice mill, which inspired the project’s name, “Text Factory.”
The size and layout of the former factory, located by the Tagus River, along with the vision of a library offering a variety of functions, played a crucial role in shaping the design. The urgent need to build an efficient facility for the local community further guided the conceptualization of this library.
In areas where scale is particularly important for children—such as the café and exhibition halls—we moved beyond the traditional formal or casual reading zones that usually cater to newspaper or magazine consultation. A multifunctional space on the first floor was also designed to serve as an auditorium when needed.
To establish a stronger and more efficient connection between users and the space, the floors are intentionally staggered and overlapped. This arrangement ensures clearer visual connections across levels. The overlapping floors create a striking vertical space, which becomes a defining feature of the library’s spatial concept.
The vertical space is further emphasized by a large triangular window spanning multiple levels, serving as a key point of connection with the outside environment. This architectural concept encourages users to engage more deeply with each other, allowing everyone to see and be seen—both as audience and participant. Through the triangular and irregular quadrilateral shapes framing views of the surrounding landscape, the design promotes “observational behavior” toward the natural and urban scenery.
From the standpoint of facility functionality and user diversity, this design approach creates a space that feels more open, efficient, and democratic.
Project Drawings
▲ Evolution of Design Concepts
▲ Shape Generation
▲ Floor Functional Zoning
▲ Structural Axis Measurement
▲ Sketch 1
▲ Sketch 2
▲ Sketch 3
▲ Sketch 4
Project Information
Project Type: Library
Location: Xila Free Town, Portugal
Architectural Firm: Miguel Arruda Arquitectos Associados
Photographer: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Manufacturer: Gyptec
Project Architect: Miguel Arruda
Project Coordination: João Lisboa
Interior Design: Miguel Arruda, João Lisboa, Ana Lia Santos
Graphic Design: Ana Lia Santos
Contractors: Pedro Nogueira, Paulo Isaque, Sara Preto Cristovão, Mário Iovieno, Fabrizio Ciardulli, Stefano Melaragno
Construction Company: FML Construções, Lda
Owner: Jardins do Arroz – Empreendimentos, Lda
Project Management: Câmara Municipal de Vila Franca de Xira and EMRU – Luis Matas de Sousa, Urban Planning
Furniture Design: Movecho, SA and Culturalis Borgeaud – Library Equipment, Ltd
Operations: Ficope, Lda
Construction Cost: €5,080,000
Facility Cost: €705,990
Community Funding: €3,760,990
Municipal Investment: €2,025,000
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