Friday, March 1

10E2127: Scottish Poetry Library

Photo via Janis Freegrad

The Scottish Poetry Library was designed by Edinburgh architects Malcom Fraser and completed in 1999. Nice view of Arthur's Seat from here as well.
"The building itself is framed with glass and oak infill panels and sliding shutters to close it up at night... 
A simple monopitch roof with big circular skylights slopes up from the horizontal datum struck by the high level windows above the masonry wall, towards the sun and the view. This allows a mezzanine to serve as a members' reading room, periodicals area and children's reading area, with the stacks sliding aside to form an internal performance space. " - via Malcolm Fraser Architects

Photo via SPL facebook 

It is slightly hidden, off a sidestreet from the Royal Mile (5 Crichton's Close, Canongate) but well worth a visit - they focus on contemporary poetry but of course feature works by Scotland's son Robert Burns and others from around the world. Looks like they know how to throw a party too...