In Paris, a media library has become a "climate refuge" in the face of heatwaves.

Concentrating on her computer screen, 29-year-old Anaïs came to revise her master's degree in psychology. "I live in a thermal kettle and I come to the media library as soon as it gets too hot because I can't stand it at home," the young woman explains.

Nearby, Eric, 69, is doing his daily press review. "My little neighborhood library has gone into heatwave mode and closes at 2 PM because the sun is beating down too hard on the building. So I come here," explains the retiree, who recorded "up to 30°C" in his apartment during the heatwave, compared to "36°C" for his neighbors on the top floor.

Located in the very mineral district of Place des Fêtes, the James-Baldwin media library has the distinction of being labeled an "island of freshness" in the City's documents, while operating without air conditioning.

Inaugurated in 2024, it was created from the rehabilitation of the former Jean-Quarré hotel school, built in 1976, and is adjacent to the Refugee House.

The two buildings were renovated according to the principles of bioclimatic architecture, coupled with natural ventilation, for a budget of 18 million euros.

"This architecture draws on the resources of its environment, namely air, sun, earth, nature, to ensure comfort in summer as well as winter," explains its architect Philippe Madec, who has been designing bioclimatic buildings for 30 years, to AFP.

Among the secrets of its design, a depression well dug in the center of the building forms a green patio that provides a source of coolness.

"It's a small natural machine. In summer, the coolness of the patio penetrates the building and helps to maintain temperatures that never exceed 26 or 27 degrees," explains Philippe Madec.

"The building held up."

The system also relies on external wall insulation, adjustable sunshades on the windows, a long poured earth wall providing thermal mass, a double ceiling height promoting the evacuation of hot air, a wooden mantilla protecting the south facade from the sun, as well as air circulators and small windows allowing coolness to enter at night.

For François Dagnaud, the Socialist mayor of the 19th district, adaptation to climate change was a central criterion in the choice of the project.

"When you have libraries with large bay windows, it quickly becomes unbearable as soon as the temperatures rise," he observes.

During the last heat wave, some libraries also had to deal with air conditioning failures when James-Baldwin welcomed up to 1.200 visitors a day, as well as kindergarten classes in the morning.

On the ground floor, a space with mats on the floor had been set up for families who came with young children.

"We experienced the worst heatwave ever recorded so far and the building withstood it," says Sophie Bobet, director of the establishment.

However, the influx of people saturated the workrooms, to the point that an additional space had to be opened in the office shared with the Refugee House.

"We considered that the priority was welcoming the residents," emphasizes Sophie Bobet.

She acknowledges, however, that an adjustment period was necessary to master the building's operation. "You have to know the right things to do to maintain a proper temperature," the director asserts, still recalling the late commissioning of radiators blowing fresh air or air circulators set "in the wrong direction".

There is one drawback for Jeanne, 38, a theater director: the more limited summer opening hours. "I live in a tower block on Place des Fêtes, where the sun is very strong, and I alternate between working in cafes when the library is closed, and then going there in the afternoon," she explains. She also hopes for the opening of the shaded garden at the back of the building so she can "make phone calls."