In the heart of Cape Town’s historically significant District Six, the Rahmah Library stands as a vibrant sanctuary for learning and community. This thoughtfully designed space transforms a once-underused corner of Rahmaniyeh Primary School into a hub intended to foster joy, literacy, and a deep sense of belonging for students. Its distinctive yellow roof acts as a bold, symbolic beacon of hope within the historically marginalized neighborhood. The architecture itself encourages interaction, featuring built-in benches, an amphitheater, and intimate reading nooks that spill into the outdoors. Critically, the library was co-created with the students, whose imaginative input directly inspired custom features like the whimsical “Rahmah-Rama” bookshelf. The design also weaves in local history, with clay from District Six embedded into tiles and bricks, connecting the building to its layered past.
Design Indaba
