Lisbon Architecture Triennale: Portuguese artist Marta Wengorovius teamed up with architect Francisco Aires Mateus to create this small wooden library that can be used by only one person at a time.

On show as part of the Lisbon Architecture Triennale, the reading cabin comprises a shed-like structure containing nothing but a single bookshelf and a raised seating area.

Daylight filters in through a skylight that punctures the gabled roof.

Marta Wengorovius invited 20 guests to choose books for the library, creating a collection of 60 volumes.

"Sharing this itinerant project creates a community between people who read the books, the guests who chose the books and the people who will read the books wherever the cabin shall pass," she said.

Visitors can reserve time slots to occupy the library, whether it be an hour or a whole day.

The cabin first opened in Paredes and has since moved to Lisbon. The artist plans to relocate it each year, translating the books into different languages for foreign countries.

Francisco Aires Mateus designed the structure. His studio also recently completed a pair of waterfront cabins in Grândola, Portugal.

Other buildings designed specifically for a single inhabitant include a micro home by Renzo Piano and a travelling performance venue.

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Photography is by João Wengorovius.

Here's a project description from Marta Wengorovius:

Um, Dois e Muitos (One, Two and Many)

The project is an itinerant library that aims to be a compass of reflection concerning the themes: "One", "Two" and "Many". The 60 books in the library relate to: "One" (every single one chosen), "two" (every single one two chosen) and "many" (every single one many chosen).

The books were chosen by 20 guests invited to collaborate with the artist and to be part of this project. With the intersection of these various books there is a desire to produce a sort of manifest, a synthesis to enlighten our roots, and searching some earth (roots?). I believe that the truthful ones cross our past and present, and give flowers throughout the ages, enlightening the time that goes by.

The library was planned to be in one different place per year. If exhibited in a foreign country the books will be translated to the native language of the country.

This art project had its first opening on December 2012 as part of the public art project in Paredes, north of Portugal.

Using Instructions

The Reading Cabin is to be used by one person at a time. The books can be read inside the cabin and requested to the entity where the Library is located. Sharing this itinerant project creates a community between people who read the books, the guests who chose the books and the people who will read the books wherever the cabin shall pass. The cabin was designed by Francisco Aires Mateus.

A Project by: Marta Wengorovius
In collaboration with: Francisco Aires Mateus and Ana Almada Pimentel
Photographs: João Wengorovius
Construction: Cenário Perfeito
Graphic design: barbara says...