> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.protein.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Inflatable Reading Room
- URL: https://www.protein.xyz/inflatable-reading-room/
- Published: 2014-03-18T05:57:00.000Z
- Updated: 2016-06-11T09:00:30.000Z
- Description: SXSW visitors were able to find calm by escaping into this space-age, mobile, reading retreat
- Author: Maks Fus Mickiewicz
- Tags: Seeds, Art & Design, #protein, #Import 2024-06-11 13:25

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/S3/protein/9916/d7519efa-5747-4c64-8d50-267e0915198c.JPG)

A space age inflatable foil structure mysteriously nestled on the lawn of the O.Henry Museum, Austin, Texas for [SXSW](http://sxsw.com/?ref=protein.xyz).   
  
The [Inflatable Reading Room](http://librarylab.tumblr.com/post/36814320749/inflatable-reading-room-ben-and-i-spent-the-day?ref=protein.xyz) was designed and built by [Ben Brady](http://bdbrady.com/?ref=protein.xyz) and [Arielle Assouline-Lichten](http://www.aaldesignlab.com/?ref=protein.xyz) as part of the [Library Test Kitchen](http://www.librarytestkitchen.org/?ref=protein.xyz), a fast prototyping lab that explores the future of library spaces and services. The mobile reading space was parked up on the grass as part of [Labrary.bike](http://labrary.bike/?ref=protein.xyz), a bike driven pop-up festival of library experiments which also showcased [CONSTI2GO](https://www.prote.in/en/feed/2014/03/consti2go?ref=protein.xyz).   
  
The mobile public space brought a haven of calm to Austin's busy streets and encouraged passersby to enter the space, engage with progressive projects and rethink our relationship to the library.   
  
In the digital age there may be no need to pick up a book from the library, however, the need to engage with others and share thinking has not disappeared. The Inflatable Reading Room probes how the role of the library is evolving.  
  
Another example of a roaming public space is [Cricklewood's Mobile Town](https://www.prote.in/en/feed/2013/08/cricklewood-s-mobile-town?ref=protein.xyz), which aimed to reconnect people with the importance of community spaces.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/S3/protein/9916/0e3acf4e-c822-42da-95e2-f2576ec51dab.jpg)