Mongui Maduro Library

Across from the entrance to plantation house Rooi Catootje you will find the new Mongui Maduro Library. Our design introduces a modern Caribbean building that complements—rather than overshadows—the plantation house.

The plantation house once housed the extensive collection of books, magazines, and historical materials, but maintaining proper climate control in the old manor proved impossible. To ensure the long-term preservation of the collection, a new building was needed.

Connected to the area

The new library is a bright, 1,100 m² structure spread across three levels, carefully integrated into the site. It offers a variety of framed views to the outside, maintaining visual and spatial connection with the surrounding landscape and the historic Rooi Catootje.

On the site of the mansion there once stood a plantation house. Dating from about 1735 the mansion was built on the plantation known as “Rust en Vrede”. With almost thirty hectares in size, crops such as coconut, papaya, tamarind and limes were grown here and cattle were raised. The name was changed into “Rooi Catootje” around 1830. Due to a period of extreme drought, the plantation lost its economic importance and the mansion was transformed into a country estate. From 1853 it served as the home of the prominent Maduro family, who made it into a center for social and cultural gatherings.

Below the ground

The family’s collection kept on growing and was put on display to the public. With the new library we could provide more space for archive material and books, which was much needed. To provide optimal climate conditions for these type of materials, we placed most of the building underground. To maintain the temperature and humidity more stable—ideal for preservation. Above ground, the building makes a deliberate architectural statement.

To preserve the collection, we integrated technical systems that precisely regulate temperature and humidity. These are housed in the basement, out of sight. On the ground floor, UV filters in the windows protect the archive from sunlight. The deeper you go into the building, the more precisely the climate is controlled—ensuring a consistent and safe environment for the materials.

Heights and views

The client wanted the building to stay low – because the area traditionally had a view of the harbor. To highlight this, we added a roof terrace, even though it wasn’t in the original brief. Today, it’s used for lectures and events.

A single continuous canopy flows from the roof and folds into a wall. The entrance’s height and proportions were carefully designed in relation to the plantation house. The canopy aligns perfectly with the band on the house’s first-floor facade, and the building matches the house’s terrace height. As a result, the historic house remains the most important building on the site.

Connecting with nature

The surrounding nature inspired us so much that we wanted to make it part of the design. That is why you see trees growing right through the building. We consciously chose to allow the wild nature to exist in its rawness.

We have designed a sequence of parallel walls that extend out into the garden. Patios between these walls allow natural light to enter the rooms and create a gentle transition between interior and exterior. This approach ensures that even underground, the spaces remain connected to nature—both visually and spatially—resulting in a calm and contemplative environment for study, research, and reflection.

Planning

This project was completed in 2010. The organization keeps on expanding and developing. Recently they have installed solar panels to make the building more sustainable. It’s nice to see that the building continues to develop.