Doxa + Bistan Architekti revive P. O. Hviezdoslav Library in Prešov
The project by Doxa and Bistan Architekti revitalizes the P. O. Hviezdoslav Regional Library in Prešov, Slovakia. Housed within three adjoining historic townhouses, the intervention focuses on preserving the spatial integrity of the original structures while introducing a new shelving system that organizes the library through spatial rhythm and light.
The library occupies three protected townhouses, each three stories high with basement levels and saddle roofs of varying heights. The main reading and collection spaces are located in the central townhouse, characterized by its large, hall-like interiors extending from the street facade to the courtyard. Maintaining the openness and light quality of these volumes was a central consideration in the design process. Instead of filling the double-height halls with dense storage, the architects introduced a gradient shelving strategy, open and public on the ground floor, increasingly compact on the upper levels. This approach preserves the sense of scale while fulfilling the library’s functional needs. The shelving layout follows a longitudinal orientation, ensuring that daylight from the tall windows continues to reach deep into the interior.
all images by Alexandra Timpau
suspended steel shelves form slender, curtain-like framework
On the ground floor, two pairs of double-height shelves are suspended from steel beams along the perimeter walls. These 35-ton shelving systems are supported by slender steel rods, creating the impression of a lightweight, curtain-like structure despite their load-bearing capacity. The use of thin steel profiles enables visual permeability and reinforces the dialogue between structure and light. The second floor introduces three continuous rows of shelving, while the top floor features smaller, more fragmented clusters. This gradual densification of shelving creates a legible spatial hierarchy, from communal and flexible spaces below to quiet, concentrated zones above. The rhythm of shelves, furniture, and circulation routes guides users through the library while maintaining clear visual connections across levels.
The renovation also makes the building’s historical construction layers visible, revealing transitions from solid masonry walls to later cast-iron additions and newly introduced steel components. The design team between studios Doxa and Bistan guides the arrangement of furniture and emphasizes architectural openings through defined movement routes. The combination of historic mass and contemporary precision highlights the evolution of the structure while accommodating present-day requirements. The ground floor supports diverse user activities and community interaction, while the upper levels focus on reading and study. This progression mirrors the spatial and functional gradient of the shelving system itself, moving from openness to concentration.
the P. O. Hviezdoslav Regional Library in Prešov is revitalized by Doxa and Bistan Architekti
open, communal spaces occupy the ground floor, while upper levels become more focused
longitudinal shelf layouts maintain daylight penetration through tall historic windows