University of Warsaw Library garden, Rooftop garden at University Library in Warsaw, Poland.
The University of Warsaw Library garden occupies about one hectare of the library roof at Dobra 56/66, split into an upper and a lower garden joined by a granite cascade and a stream. The upper garden, around 2,000 square metres, is planted in gold and yellow tones; the lower one, roughly 15,000 square metres, is divided into four beds of white, red, blue and green. A glass footbridge crosses the cascade, and a pergola runs along the railing.
The library building opened in the late 1990s, with the garden spaces added several years later in the early 2000s. This addition transformed the rooftop into an accessible public area for visitors.
The garden is divided into sections whose planting follows a colour scheme tied to the four cardinal directions: yellow in the north, red in the south, green in the east and blue in the west. The colours appear in flowers, shrubs and paving, so a visitor walking from one part to another passes through a change of palette. The arrangement was designed together with the garden itself.
The upper garden section has seasonal access during warmer months, while the lower area remains open year-round. Visitors should be aware that access and conditions may vary depending on the season.
Large panels on the adjacent street display excerpts from various literary works, including classical and philosophical texts. This installation extends the library's cultural presence beyond its walls into the urban space.
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