Harmonizing Quietude and Community
An Architectural Framework for Enhancing "Third Place" Dynamics in Tropical Public Libraries
Main Article Content
Abstract
Public libraries serve as vital community institutions that extend beyond book repositories to function as “third places” that support social interaction and community cohesion. This study situates public libraries within the third-place framework, emphasising their role in promoting engagement and cultural exchange. It examines the challenges tropical climates pose to user comfort and tranquillity, including heat, humidity, and noise pollution. Comparative case-study findings showed that the Rivers State Library lacked effective third-place zoning and acoustic separation, whereas the Dunoon Library Precinct successfully incorporated these strategies to support both quiet study and community interaction. In response, the proposed PLOOK Model integrates user-centred spatial zoning, acoustic control, climate-responsive design, and inclusive communal spaces to strengthen public libraries as resilient third places in tropical contexts. The study highlights the importance of sustainable, well-being-oriented design in supporting lifelong learning, social inclusion, and community engagement.
Article Details
Copyright (c) 2026 Girah, Kilsi (Author); Dr Kelechukwu Dimkpa (Translator)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Girah, Kilsi, Rives State University, PMB 5080, Nkpolu – Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Department of Architecture, Faculty of Environmental Science, Rivers State University
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