DRAUGHT (Draw)

Situated in the centre of Edinburgh’s Old Town, this building will become the UK’s first public library dedicated to graphic illustration. This scheme reimagines the tucked-away comic book section of a local library to create a pilgrimage site for lovers of comics, graphic novels and graphic illustration, through the celebration of the artform’s Scottish roots.

The building’s design takes inspiration from the larger than life stories which take place in the world of graphic novels and are reflected by the grandiose architecture that can be found all across the city of Edinburgh. The building will hint towards the framed moments that make up the pages of a comic, which are paralleled by the framed thresholds and narrow back-alleys which define the Cowgate area.

The scheme will accomodate four main environments; a permanent archival exhibition space displaying the original prints of the first printed comics, a dynamic exhibition space showcasing new artists, a lending library with reading spaces and a seminar/screening space . This division of programme creates a clear transition of inolvement, facilitating universal accessibility and the evolution from a complete novice to regular reader.