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Liquorice Library

London, UK
0.5 m²

Designed, baked and built by us

Presenting our entry for The Gingerbread City 2022: Liquorice Library. This 4-storey waterfront library and café, supplied by its own rooftop gardens, is the gem of the Continental island. Residents here have to be prepared for extremes – baking hot summers and icy cold winters – and so Liquorice Library provides a haven for relaxation, reflection, and conversation.

Uha liquorice library 3
Factsheet
  • Location
    The Gingerbread City 2022
  • Climate Region
    Continental
  • Client
    Museum of Architecture
  • Area
    0.5 m²
  • Books
    1,553
  • Gingerbread
    > 1.4 kg
  • Status
    Open for visitors
Concept

A hot spring and a warm haven

Its molten qualities encourage exploration within its literary labyrinths, and breakout spaces frame moments of bright, colourful release into the central courtyard. Designed using CLT with glulam beams, the Library has a low-carbon diet. The combination of all-natural, locally sourced materials makes for a low upfront carbon footprint.

Gbc liquorice library 006
UHA Liquorice Library sketch
Concept
Built for extremes

Protection from the extreme heat of summer is provided by offsetting continuous horizontal bands of timber bookshelves. The overhanging slabs and louvre system give protection against harmful UV rays, whilst allowing the building fabric to breathe, expand, and contract⁠.

Gbc liquorice library 007
Uha liquorice library exhibition 6
Detail
An olfactory overload

Like the smell of a good book we wanted the instantly recognisable flavour and fragrance of liquorice to greet the visitors to the Library. Every bit of decoration is liquorice, from the finest Danish Sambó Reykt Te trees to the classic liquorice allsorts furniture. The gingerbread itself is charcoal-infused, giving us the richest black biscuit in the City.

Uha liquorice library exhibition 4
Detail
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PXL 20221129 131059055 PORTRAIT
Detail
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Process

Teamwork makes the dream work

With 1,553 books, 120 log pavers, 84 gummy bear visitors, 62 diamond floor tiles, 26 trees, 17 black dahlias⁠, 19 sofas, 13 tables, 6 squishy lounge chairs, and over 2 kg of gingerbread and glazing, the Liquorice Library was a monumental team effort.

Uha liquorice library bakeplans
Uha liquorice library cardmodel
Uha liquorice library baking
Uha liquorice library exhibition 5 square
Team
Chief Librarian
Joseph R. Goodwin
Master Baker
Lizzie Sharp
Book Maker in Chief
Jimena Arena
3D Model Man
Gianluca Malvestio
Assistant Librarian
Ricardo Mateu


PXL 20221129 131059055 PORTRAIT
Winners at Gingerbread City 2022
Highbury cgi hero bedroom 2
Highbury House
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