Médiathèque José-Cabanis (José-Cabanis Media Library), Toulouse

The José-Cabanis Media Library (Médiathèque José-Cabanis) in Toulouse, serves as the centerpiece of the Public Libraries of Toulouse network. Constructed between 2002 and 2003, and opened in 2004, it stands adjacent to the Matabiau rail station in the Marengo district. The site previously housed the Toulouse Veterinary School until its demolition in 1965. Named after the local poet José Cabanis (1922–2000), the building was designed by Pierre Buffi and the Toulouse firm Sequences and Associated Architects.

Architecturally distinct, the building is designed in the shape of an asymmetrical arch that spans the avenue it faces, preserving part of the avenue’s historical perspective on Avenue Georges Pompidou. It consists of two primary volumes: the wider right side contains the media library, while the left side houses various commercial and tertiary premises, including spaces previously occupied by TLT (a local television channel), the National Audiovisual School (ENSA), and Toulouse Métropole services. These volumes are linked by a belvedere that offers a panoramic view of the city and aligns with Place Wilson, which is situated at the other end of Avenue Jean-Jaurès.

The media library is accessible via a footbridge that spans a sloping garden leading down to the metro level, which also illuminates the children's library below. This entrance setup maintains street continuity and provides access to the building’s interior. The exterior of library features glass facades with terracotta strip sunshades that both regulate temperature and mirror the red brick that characterizes Toulouse, earning the city its nickname "pink city."

Inside, the library boasts a vertical expanse enhanced by a large spiral staircase that ascends through the first four floors and the basement, emphasizing the building's height. The library is thematically organized across different floors. This architectural and functional arrangement makes the José-Cabanis Media Library a landmark of both cultural significance and innovative design in Toulouse.