Gothenburg City Library is located at Götaplatsen, one of the city's most important public spaces. The site itself is classified as a listed building, is considered to be of national interest and is lined with buildings of cultural and historical value. When the city library, which was listed in 1967, was to be rebuilt, the requirements for design and adaptation to the site were therefore very high.

The city's idea was to extend the library to the northwest, towards the Park Avenue Hotel. Erséus Arkitekter, now part of FOJAB, won support in the parallel assignments for the proposal to build around the library on three sides instead. In this way, the important contact between Avenyn and Lorensbergsparken with its theater building and beautiful greenery could be maintained. The building could also be given a new uniform costume with a more open expression and a better interaction with Avenyn and Götaplatsen. A new facade also meant a significantly improved climate performance.

The old building is still clearly visible inside the new, relocated facade. The chosen solution has enabled the library's various departments to grow without having to move around the building. The books remain in the old building body, while many of the reading places have been moved to the bright galleries, freeing up space in the interior. New functions such as an open auditorium, a larger café, new meeting places and exhibition spaces are housed in the extension. The interior of the old building has been carefully restored as closely as possible to its original appearance.

The City Library is and has always been one of Gothenburg's most popular cultural buildings and a public meeting place for many. Thanks to the renovation and extension, the connection and integration with the urban space became clearer and stronger. The library's raised entrance creates a smaller room in the larger one and offers an often populated ”sun staircase”.