Slide in the Mały Kącik Library in Gdynia – Case Study
A slide in a public library?
Just a few years ago, such an idea would have seemed unrealistic. And yet, on December 6, 2022, the modern Mały Kącik Library in Gdynia officially opened its doors — with one of its main attractions being a 7.5-meter-long tube slide designed and built by our team.
The joy of reading and the fun of playing
For decades, libraries were seen as zones of silence and concentration — places where even whispering could earn you a disapproving glance from staff, and laughter was absolutely out of the question. In many libraries, visitors even had to put on not-so-stylish (and even less liked) felt slippers to avoid making noise or dirtying the floor.
Luckily, those days are long gone. Today’s modern libraries no longer resemble museums or relics of the past. Quite the opposite — they’ve become lively community hubs where people can not only borrow books and engage with culture, but also… have a great time.
A perfect example of this new approach is the Mały Kącik Library, located on Łowiecka Street in Gdynia. One of the facility’s main attractions is a large indoor slide for both children and adults, connecting two floors. We had the pleasure of designing and building this tube slide, and we’re thrilled to see how much joy it brings to Gdynia residents — young and old alike.
A few words about the project
The stainless steel tube slide we built in the Gdynia library stretches over 7.5 meters and connects the upper floor (with the adult book collection) to the lower floor, which is a children’s area. Right next to the slide are stairs that allow slide-lovers to return to the top and ride again — as many times as they wish.
The slide itself features a sleek, minimalist silver design. Its final section is integrated into a bookshelf, so the exit blends seamlessly with the surroundings. And where do the riders land? On a large, soft red pouf placed in front of tall windows with a view outside. From there, visitors can head off in search of a good book or explore other attractions offered by the library.
This tube slide for the Gdynia library was our first such project for a public cultural institution — although we had previously completed similar installations for schools, dormitories, and numerous offices.
Slides in public buildings — what to keep in mind?
While tunnel, tube, and chute slides are increasingly found in educational and cultural facilities around the world — with their benefits appreciated by architects and investors alike — they still remain a novelty in Poland. They certainly spark curiosity, but also skepticism around their practicality and safety.
However, each of our stainless steel slides is designed to meet the highest quality and safety standards (compliant with EN 1176:2017) — while also ensuring maximum fun for all users.
When designing a slide, we always take into account
- available space,
- building type,
- the intended users (children, adults, or both),
We then tailor the slide’s form, trajectory, and incline accordingly. This ensures that the ride is never too fast, unsafe, or too narrow — as long as it’s used according to our guidelines. These include a minimum age of 5 and a maximum weight of 120 kg.
One crucial aspect is compliance with fire safety regulations, particularly when the slide connects multiple floors and crosses fire zones. That’s why the design and construction process involves specialists from various fields. Thanks to this multidisciplinary approach, even in complex facilities like schools or cultural centers, tunnel and tube slides can be an exciting and safe alternative to stairs and elevators.
Looking for a creative and original attraction for your building project?
Choose a comfortable, safe, and fully customized stainless steel slide. Get in touch with us, and together we’ll find the perfect solution for your space.
