The National Library of the Republic of Tatarstan is housed in the Kazan branch of the Lenin Central Museum, originally built in 1987. The building’s exterior is clad in Armenian tuff and is designed to resemble a waving Soviet flag. As one of Kazan’s key landmarks, it stands as a notable example of late Soviet cultural architecture.
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, this site became the “Kazan” National Cultural Center and, until recently, also hosted the Kazan City Museum. The most remarkable accomplishment of the renovation project lies in transforming a once gloomy, outdated structure into a bright, lively public space, all while honoring the original materials and spatial qualities.
The architectural style of Tatar historical buildings shares many characteristics with the “commemorative” style of late Soviet architecture. This is evident in the spatial layout, choice of materials, and color palette. The design employs simple yet dignified materials that reflect the essence of Tatar heritage while respecting the Soviet legacy.
The grand double-height front hall serves as a central connector between the building’s main functional areas, the Kazanka River embankment, and the city square. This hall not only links different parts of the library but also integrates the building into the surrounding urban fabric. Its vertical surfaces are adorned with green serpentine, white marble, sandstone, and white gypsum. The floor features breccia composed of similarly toned rocks, while the ceiling is finished with seamless granular soundproofing panels.
On the west side of the front hall, the first floor hosts the multifunctional public library area. This includes dedicated reading spaces for children and teenagers, a computer room, and a music room. This section stands out as the most open and inclusive part of the National Library, welcoming a diverse range of users. The interior design embraces a gradual, minimalist, and democratic approach, utilizing natural textures like concrete, metal, and glass, complemented by soft-colored furniture and accent lighting.
On the east side of the front hall, the second floor is dedicated to the academic library’s reading area. This space pays homage to postmodern Soviet architecture. Respecting the original museum’s floor plan, the library features a continuous three-story staircase structure. This tiered design accommodates individual and group study areas, catalog zones, linear exhibition spaces, and a striking original sculpture titled “Anti War Demonstration.”
The ceiling in this section features decorative patterns formed by tubular skylights combined with artificial lighting. The floor consists of warm beige epoxy terrazzo embedded with brown and gray marble stones. Walls are painted white, complemented by natural oak furniture and wall panels. Beyond the main library spaces, the building also includes a conference hall, white box and black box exhibition halls, a recording studio, a lecture hall, staff offices, and several book storage rooms.
Project Drawings
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Section Diagram
△ Structural Analysis Diagram
Project Information
Architectural Design: XOPA
Area: 15,102 m²
Project Year: 2020
Photographer: Ivan Erofeev
Manufacturers: Interface, Diodis, Gerflor, Grossbond, Linolit, MDM-LIGHT, OWA, Saint Gobain Ecophon BV Ettenleur, Solargy, Stolyarniy Arsenal
Lead Architects: M. Mikadze, O. Shukurov, A. Perevalova
Design Team: E. Lartseva, A. Ivashkevich
Client: Government of the Republic of Tatarstan
Consultants: Project curator – Natalia Fishman-Bekmambetova (Advisor to the President of the Republic of Tatarstan); Project brief – Nekrasov Central Library, Moscow; Dynamic light installation – R. Khasanov, I. Fainberg, L. Zabruskova, Y. Turanova
Collaborators: TATINVESTGRAZHDANPROJECT, A. Khusnutdinov, M. Bykov, N. Sidorov, R. Sirazev, R. Matshin, B. Zainutdinov
Location: Kazan, Russia
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