A former locomotive shed – the ‘LocHal’ – has undergone an intensive redesign to become the new public library in Tilburg

It is a place for testing, creating, exhibiting and presenting the latest innovations

The LocHal, an old locomotive hall dating from 1932, is located next to the station of Tilburg and houses the Central Brabant library and two art institutions (Kunstloc Brabant and Brabant C). The designers and architects involved in this breathtaking transformation created something really special, maintaining its spectacular sense of grandeur while embodying a feeling of intimacy in many of its hidden corners.

But besides being an awesome example of an industrial building transformed into a modern library, it’s good to know that the LocHal is far more than just a library. The building has been transformed into a public meeting place with a distinct railway theme conveniently located next to Tilburg’s Central Station.

And that’s not everything - LocHal is not only a library and a meeting point for the peope from Tilburg, but also a laboratory where visitors are challenged, gain new knowledge and learn about new innovations. There are many labs that can be found throughout the building – DigiLab; Workshop rooms; GameLab; FutureLab; Mobile FoodLab; KennisMakerij (LearningLab); TijdLab (TimeLab); StemmingMakerij (DialogueLab); WoordLab (WordLab). There is also a theme park specially designed for kids and a youth zone.

Source: dutchreview.com