This Lovely Little Pop-up Library Is Powered by the Sun

via AKB

The mini community library is nothing new—but when was the last time you saw a pop-up home for books that included a space to sit? The Story Pod, a project by the Canadian design firm Atelier Kastelic Buffey (AKB), just arrived in the Toronto suburb of Newmarket. The pop-up lending library sits in a prominent civic square in the center of the town, where residents can access it during the year’s warmer months.

AKB

At night, the library remains closed, the black box lit from within and serving as what AKB calls an “urban marker,” which draws community members to the square. But during the day, the library opens to reveal latticed windows, three spacious benches, and—of course—books.

AKB

The kicker? What little light the Story Pod uses is provided by energy-efficient LEDs, powered by concealed and hardy solar lights on its roof. Smart and green!

AKB

AKB

(Via Curbed)