OBA Next, Bibliotheek van de Toekomst: Being, Browsing, Busy

In collaboration with
The Outsiders, OBA Next x Sluislab

2024-2025

A workshop for the library of the future: OBA Next x Sluislab is an innovation space in the Sluisbuurt district where OBA (Amsterdam Public Library) and Inholland University of Applied Sciences collaborate. Spanning 170m², the space focuses on research and experimentation within the realms of art, emotions, and citizen science, with playful learning as its core theme. The Outsiders coordinated, designed, and facilitated co-creation and 'design thinking' workshops centered on upcycling, engaging local participants—including neighborhood residents, students, and other stakeholders—to explore, design, and shape the 'library of the future.' By repurposing furniture from Inholland Diemen, along with various construction and craft materials, the space was transformed into a flexible, playful, and multifunctional environment. Throughout the process, we emphasized playfulness, reuse, adaptability, and the diverse ways of 'being' within the library of the future: Being, Browsing, and Busy.