Bookbus
Peter Thuvander and Martin Hedenström from design firm Muungano got the chance to design a library bus for the northern town of Kiruna, Sweden. The function of the new bus is to supply a larger service, where new digital media is presented as well as traditional printed material. Except from distributing media the bus will also function as a place for people to communicate on the web and enable meetings between different groups in the society.
The layout of the bus is designed to include as much service and media as possible. The front of the bus is organized like a traditional library with many bookshelves and a stool if you want to glance through the books. The back is more for younger audience and includes other media, such as music, film and computer games. Along with the big window is a table with a internet connected computer and the reception desk. Next to it is a couch for listening to music. In the back is a sitting sculpture for reading, playing games or just socializing. The back of the bus can also be used for lectures and film screenings. The function of the bus is not only a transportation of books but a container of culture and a meeting place.
Because of the lack of sunlight during most of the year in the north the bus will be like a lantern when dark to attract people and light up the surroundings.
The bus includes a library, a small cinema, computer games, a music listening couch, internet station and personal service.
The graphics is made by our illustrator Fredrik Forsberg.
The frames of the bookshelves are made of aluminium and powder coated with white paint.
The seating are built MDF-boards with laminate from Formica and fabric from Kvadrat.
The table for computers and the reception desk are made of MDF-boards and laminate from Formica.
The floor is a grey rubber floor from Trelleborg with circular pattern to avoid slippery floor.
The walls and ceiling are covered with yellow and white clued fabric from Kvadrat.
The project is realized. The bus hit the road in June, 2008
