We renovated the Gladina Library in Apatity, transforming it into the city’s new cultural center. We were inspired by the building’s architecture and the unique materials used in its original construction—shell limestone, marble, and parquet flooring. Naturally, the entire structure required extensive restoration, as it had not undergone a major renovation since its construction.
Project Name: Rénovation of the Gladina Library in Apatity
Studio Name: Tochka design
Location: Apatity, Russia, Murmansk region
Area: 1500 square meters
Project Team: Art Director Stepan Bugaev, Designer Anastasiya Yukhnevich, Photo Varvara Chesnokova
The library’s original layout was well thought out, so the main functional areas remained in their original locations. The only changes were made to the utility rooms near the elevator zone: they were reduced in size to make the space more inclusive. Tall windows filled the halls with natural light, while the restored historical glazing added a play of reflections and shadows across the floors and walls.
The building’s modernist architecture was the primary inspiration for our project. We focused on carefully restoring its original architectural features and materials—sandstone, marble, parquet, and the signature “floating” staircase. The curved elements, reminiscent of flagpoles, symbolize the pages of an open book. We enhanced them with contour lighting, which makes their soft lines particularly striking during the polar night.
The cool-toned color palette of the faсades served as the foundation for the interior design. Apatity, located in the northern Murmansk region near Scandinavia, shares a visual language with its Nordic neighbors. The familiar combination of gray, white, and red resonates intuitively with the local community, so we preserved these shades while adding textured details for depth.
We aimed to faithfully restore and replicate the original finishes. Warmth was introduced into the interior through bright accents, such as orange lighting fixtures that evoke the image of the sun.
The library holds many historical artifacts, but if we were to highlight just one, it would undoubtedly be the 12-meter chandelier in the central hall on the second floor. Designed by our team, it was entirely handcrafted from metal.
Another key aspect of the project was the contribution of conceptual artist Valery Chtak, who took the time to visit Apatity and create an incredible artwork in the reading hall. Frescoes that had suffered water damage during the renovation were carefully restored with the help of graduates from the Surikov Art Institute. They successfully preserved the artistic style of the original works, capturing the essence of different historical periods.
