Hasta La Ideas

This university library in Paris by French practice Beckmann-N’Thépé Architectes has a knobbly concrete facade that looks like blocks of earth.

The new Marne-la-Vallée Central University Library building comprises a recessed ground floor, which contains entrance and reception areas, and two upper floors inside a large concrete volume, which holds reading rooms with space for 1200 students.

Boxy bay windows provide large openings on the sides of the concrete facade, which has been shaped and coloured to look like soil.

“The rocky fragment of the library asserts a beauty that comes from harmony and seduction, which works subjectively on the viewer who is affected and moved,” architect Aldric Beckmann explained.

“Between naturalism and terror, the Marne-la-Vallée Library puts us in touch with our dreams – active, joyous, sometimes disturbing, comforting, but always salutary,” he added.

The glazed walls of the ground floor are surrounded by a moat and lend a lightness to the concrete above, making the weighty block appear to hover above the water.

The library is located alongside a 17th century farmhouse and outbuildings.

Photographs are by Beckmann-N’Thépé and Alain Deswarte.

We previously reported on two competitions won by Beckmann-N’Thépé, one for a zoological park outside St. Petersburg, Russia, and another to remodel Korkeasaari Zoo in Helsinki, Finland.

Earlier this week we featured a university library in Poland with a grid-like facade of red sandstone.

See all our stories about libraries »
See all our stories about universities »
See all our stories about concrete »

Here’s some more text from the architects:

Future heart and social area of the Marne-la-Vallée university campus, the new central library has the significant advantage of being located on an outstanding site: the Ferme de la Haute Maison. Dating from the 17th century, this historic site endows the building with a strategic role.

Site plan – click above for larger image

Its identity does not just stem from the quality of the constructions: the surrounding moat, which extends into a water garden, and the central courtyard which becomes the main parvis, are two federating components of this site, generating a special emotion.

Lower floor plan – click above for larger image

Positioned along the horizontal line of the existing gutters, the two parts of the building are marked and differentiated. The lower part (reception) recreates a frontality with the other part of the preserved Farm. Simple and rectilinear, it drops down towards the moat and becomes the support of the upper part (reading rooms).

First floor plan – click above for larger image

A suspended telluric volume, as though torn out of its natural element, it extends out on the garden side, pierced by projecting golden glass inclusions and patios which bring natural lighting from underneath.

Second floor plan – click above for larger image

Inside, calm and whiteness prevail. Plants here and there create spatial sequences and provide additional visual comfort to the landscape installed. Special attention is also paid to the environmental quality (HEQ approach), mainly regarding energy management. Private and public spaces are clearly separated and marked out, allowing obvious management of the flows. The large functional entities can therefore be quickly identified by their morphology and their location.

Section – click above for larger image

Location: Cité Descartes, Champs sur Marne, Marne-la-Vallée – 77, France
Programme: Construction of a library / Landscape and moat / Reading rooms, auditorium, cafeteria, offices, logistics, car park (20 places)
Architects: Agence Beckmann-N’Thépé (Paris)
Client: Marne-la-Vallée University
Client Assistance: AURIS
Area: 8670 m2 net floor area + outside spaces
Cost: 19.6 M€ excl. VAT
Delivery date: May 2011 (site in progress)
Architectural design office team:
Project manager: Hélène Méhats

Elevation – click above for larger image

Architects: Fabio Cummaudo, Wilfried Daufy, Anne-Catherine Dufros, Marc Durand, Nicolas Gaudard, Thamila Hamiti, David Malaval, David Tajchman, Frédéric Taupin
Assistant architects: Amélie Authier, Maïté Dupont, Li Fang, Linna Lay, Laetitia Pignol
BET (technical design office) team:
Structure + Fluids: COTEC
HEQ (High Environmental Quality): Franck Boutté Consultant
Landscape designer: Emmanuelle Blanc
Facade engineer: VAN SANTEN
Economist: Sterling Quest Associates
Acoustics: PEUTZ
Fire safety + Fire Safety System coordinator: Prévention Consultants
Quality and technical building control: QUALICONSULT
Health and safety coordinator: Ouest Coordination
Building supervisor and coordinator: IPCS

Special finishes and materials:
Facade made from “earth-like” bulk-dyed architectonic concrete. Metallic structure and special glazed facades. Special textile fabric for false ceilings. HEQ standard (ventilation and heating, rainwater recovery), HEQ certification.

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by Beckmann-N’Thépé Architectes appeared first on Dezeen.

A grid of red sandstone panels dominates every side of this university library in Katowice, Poland, by architects HS99 (+ slideshow).

Architects Dariusz Herman, Piotr Smierzewski and Wojciech Subalski arranged the rectangular panels in a brickwork-style pattern to ”relate to the raw clay bricks on the neighbouring buildings,” but used a different scale.

Gaps between the panels create hundreds of narrow windows, which become slivers of light all over the facade after dark.

HS99 won a competition back in 2002 to design the library, which houses a series of scientific and economic collections for the University of Silesia and is the first stage in a campus-wide redevelopment.

Three large floors form the main volume of the library, matching the scale of the neighbouring university campus buildings, while three upper floors with a smaller footprint create a slab-like tower at the north-east corner.

The architects planned this taller block as a visual marker for students, directing them towards the public square that lines the edge of the building.

Students enter the library through a three-storey-high atrium, which leads to reading rooms, group study areas, conference rooms and individual workspaces amongst the bookshelves.

Above: photograph is by Tomasz Zakrzewski

“The interiors are zoned to respond to the many ways in which research and study can take place,” Smierzewski told Dezeen. “We’ve create a wide variety of environments ranging from social to intimate.”

Above: photograph is by Tomasz Zakrzewski

Precast concrete panels cover the interior walls, while grated ceilings offer glimpses of the mechanical systems behind them. ”The utilitarian materiality and finishing alludes to the Silesian region’s heritage rooted in mining and other forms of heavy industry,” said Smierzewski.

Other libraries on Dezeen include a glass pyramid by MVRDV and a golden library by COBE and Transform.

See more stories about libraries »

Photography is by Jakub Certowicz, apart from otherwise stated.

Here’s some more information from HS99:

Katowice – CINiBA (The Scientific Information Centre and Academic Library)

In 2002 a competition was launched by the University of Silesia for the design of a new library that would provide a world-class didactic facility for scientific research. The flexibility the winning proposal offered proved to be its major strength when, after securing a building permit, the program was modified to also include the collections of the University of Economics with no changes to the exterior form.

The Scientific Information Centre and Academic Library (Polish acronym: CINiBA) anchors the new campus redevelopment plan to be implemented in the coming years.

Located at the intersection of the east-west axis that forms the spine of the campus, and the north-south axis which connects the recreational grounds by the river to land set aside for further university expansion, the library reinforces the axial organization which has so far been poorly articulated. A central university square at the foot of the library, the FORUM, generates a civic gathering place that opens onto the library’s grand three storey atrium.

The height of the library has been determined by the average height of buildings on the university campus. The north elevation surpassing this height is directed towards the FORUM and houses the library’s closed stacks. This elevation emphasizes the rank and function of the FORUM and is in dialogue with the existing tall buildings which close the east-west axis.

The facades, clad in a repetitious fabric of rich kahan red sandstone, relate to the raw clay bricks on the neighbouring buildings without the connotation of scale inherent to a singular brick element. The exterior treatment abstracts the building’s function of organized book storing while introducing a notion of mystery inseparably connected to books.

Site plan – click for larger image

The lack of discernible scale produces a monolith when seen from afar that is gradually familiarized. Details such as the decreasing proportions of the façade tiling, the irregular cut of the sandstone slabs, as well as the windows carefully nested inside become visible.

Ground floor plan – click for larger image

The fenestration projects a stunning patchwork of light onto the FORUM at night, yet in the daytime allows diffused light to permeate into the library’s reading rooms. The resulting strongly introverted interior composition of the library floors focuses one’s attention onto the books while calming the space. Partial isolation from the external world not only influences the atmosphere within but also introduces a flow of time detached from the pulse of the surrounding city.

First floor plan – click for larger image

Location: Katowice, ul. Bankowa 11a
Client: Consortium of the University of Silesia and University of Economics in Katowice
Design: SARP Competition No. 924: 12.2002 (1st prize)
Building Permit Secured: 2004

Second floor plan – click for larger image

Construction: 2009-2011
Building Footprint: 2 910 m2
Total Floor Area: 10562 m2

Longitudinal section – click for larger image

Volume: 62 560 m3
Net Floor Area: 12 273 m2
Gross Floor Area: 13 260 m2

Cross section – click for larger image

Maximum Volume Storage: 2 000 000 books
Volumes Currently Held: 340 000 books (open collection); 460 000 books (closed collection)

North elevation – click for larger image

Team: HS99, Dariusz Herman, Piotr Smierzewski, Wojciech Subalski,
Cooperation: Rafal Sobieraj, Adam Kulesza, Jacek Moczała, Wojciech Słupczyński
Structural Design: Jan Filipkowski, Joanna Jacoszek, Jerzy Rawski, Mariusz Staszewski

West elevation – click for larger image

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and Academic Library by HS99 appeared first on Dezeen.

For those readers who asked to see more interiors from Zaha Hadid’s Pierres Vives government building in Montpellier, here’s a reading room lined with glowing bookcases by architect Stephane Hof (+ slideshow).

Hof previously worked for Zaha Hadid Architects and was the project architect for Pierres Vives, the regional government building of Herault, before forming his own practice last year.

The Alphabet Library is located within the building’s public archive department and houses books between a series of curved Corian panels.

Tables and information desks curve out from the bookcases, forming continuous surfaces.

Above: photograph is by Laurence Ravoux

“If you look at all the old reading rooms in libraries in France, the tables are always detached from the bookshelves,” architect Stephane Hof told Dezeen. “We wanted to create something that combined these two functions into one.”

Above: photograph is by the architects

Hof also explained how “the abstract forms of letters” inspired the shapes of the shelves and tables. “Not literally the alphabet, but L-shapes, H-shapes, T-Shapes, etc.” he said.

Above: photograph is by the architects

Strips of lighting are positioned beneath the Corian surfaces, illuminating the bookcases and framing the outlines of tables.

See more images of the Pierres Vives building in our earlier story.

Above: photograph is by the architects

Photography is by MC Lucat, apart from where otherwise stated.

Here’s a project description from Hof:

Alphabet Library

Located within the Pierres Vives building in Montpellier to serve as a reading room for the Archive of the Department of Herault.

Above: photograph is by the architects

For a public reading room such as this, we decided to provide visitors with a pleasant and comfortable space to read surrounded by a treasure trove of books that lend the space an overwhelming physical presence.

The new library comprises an entrance desk, an information desk, reading room tables and library shelves.

Above: photograph is by the architects

We combined the different functions of the program into a single object in order to create a new dialogue between the tables and the library and a continuous flow through the entire space. The tables bend around the back wall to form the library with each piece of the puzzle referencing a letter of the alphabet. The field of tables resonates with the lighting of the existing ceiling to form its “shadow”. At night the edge of the Corian material used throughout is back-lit and makes the ceiling, the library and tables appear as one.

Above: photograph is by the architects

The project palette is composed of: 2 functions: reading room tables and library shelving; 2 materials: timber and corian; 2 colours: black and white; 2 geometries: straight and curved. This reflects the duality of author and reader; the one’s intention and the other’s interpretation.

Above: axonometric plan

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by Stephane Hof appeared first on Dezeen.

Chunky wooden ribs bend around the walls and ceiling of this library in Norway by Helen & Hard Architects and integrate lighting, bookshelves and seating.

The 27 ribs frame the outline of a double-height hall, which spans the length of the Vennesla Library and Cultural Centre and includes a mezzanine.

Glue-laminated timber beams and columns provide the structure for each rib, while air conditioning ducts are sandwiched behind the lighting fixtures and plywood casing.

As the columns wrap around to meet the floor, hollows lined with cushions provide sheltered study spaces.

Existing buildings are located either side of the library, but natural light floods in through glazed facades that are exposed at the front and shaded behind timber slats at the back.

Stairs lead down to a basement floor containing offices, classrooms and a local history collection.

We’ve published a string of libraries on Dezeen lately, including two in Washington by Adjaye Associates and one in south London.

See all our stories about libraries »

Photography is by Hufton + Crow.

Here’s some more information from Helen & Hard Architects:

Vennesla Library and Culture house

The new library in Vennesla comprises a library, a café, meeting places and administrative areas, and links an existing community house and learning centre together.

Supporting the idea of an inviting public space, all main public functions have been gathered into one generous space allowing the structure combined with furniture and multiple spatial interfaces to be visible in the interior and from the exterior.

An integrated passage brings the city life into and through the building. Furthermore, the brief called for the new building to be open and easily accessible from the main city square, knitting together the existing urban fabric.

This was achieved using a large glass facade and urban loggia providing a protected outdoor seating area.

In this project, we developed a rib concept to create useable hybrid structures that combine a timber construction with all technical devices and the interior.

The whole library consists of 27 ribs made of prefabricated glue-laminated timber elements and CNC-cut plywood boards.

These ribs inform the geometry of the roof, as well as the undulating orientation of the generous open space, with personal study zones nestled along the perimeter.

Each rib consists of a glue laminated timber beam and column, acoustic absorbents which contain the air conditioning ducts, bent glass panes that serve as lighting covers and signs, and integrated reading niches and shelves.

The gradually shifting shapes of the ribs are generated through adapting to the two adjacent buildings and also through spatial quality and functional demands for the different compartments of the library.

Each end façade has been shaped according to the specific requirements of the site. At the main entrance, the rib forms the loggia which spans the width of the entire square.

Basement level plan – click above for larger image

Against south/west the building traces the natural site lines, and the building folds down towards the street according to the interior plan and height requirements.

Ground floor plan – click above for larger image

On this side, the façade is fitted with fixed vertical sunshading, This shading also gathers the building into one volume, witch clearly appears between the two neighbouing buildings.

Mezzanine plan – click above for larger image 

A main intention has also been to reduce the energy need for all three buildings through the infill concept and the use of high standard energy saving solutions in all new parts.

Click above for larger image

The library is a “low-energy” building, defined as class “A” in the Norwegian energy-use definition system.

Click above for larger image

We aimed to maximize the use of wood in the building.

Click above for larger image

In total, over 450m3 of gluelam wood have been used for the construction alone.

All ribs, inner and outer walls, elevator shaft, slabs, and partially roof, are made in gluelam wood. All gluelam is exposed on one or both sides.

A symbiosis of structure, technical infrastructure, furniture and interior in one architectonic element creates a strong spatial identity that meets the client’s original intent to mark the city’s cultural centre.

Location: Vennesla, Norway
Client: Vennesla Kommune

Competition entry: 2009
Completion: 2011

Budget: 66,4 mill NOK (excl. tax)
Area: 1938 m2 gross

Team Helen & Hard: Reinhard Kropf, Siv Helene Stangeland, Håkon Minnesjord Solheim, Caleb Reed, Randi Augenstein

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by Helen & Hard Architects appeared first on Dezeen.

The second of two new libraries in Washington DC by architects Adjaye Associates comprises grey concrete blocks with yellow timber fins.

The William O. Lockridge/Bellevue Library is located in a residential neighbourhood in the south of city and sits on a gently sloping site.

The central volume of the building contains reading areas for adults, children and teenagers, while group study areas and conference rooms are located in the three wings that adjoin. Faceted concrete legs raise these wings above the ground, creating a sheltered amphitheatre and bicycle parking area by the entrance.

Read about the first of the two libraries here, or click here to see Adjaye’s recent designs for a bitumen-coated pavilion at the Tate Liverpool gallery.

See all our stories about David Adjaye »
See more libraries on Dezeen »

Photography is by Edmund Sumner.

Here’s some more text from Adjaye Associates:

Adjaye Associates’ Community Libraries in Washington DC open to the public

Adjaye Associates’ new neighbourhood libraries for the District of Columbia, the William O. Lockridge/ Bellevue Library and Francis Gregory Library, have opened to the public. The brief called for the new buildings to be “flexible, accessible, welcoming and inviting” and the libraries challenge the traditional closed typology, introducing a social element with a strong urban and cultural programme.

The William O. Lockridge/Bellevue Library

“Communities need empowering buildings – and this neighbourhood library is all about the creation of a strong beacon for its community. The primary act of public architecture is to create spaces that are socially edifying and socially liberating – using design excellence as a social force that makes good. This is at the heart of my work, so it is very exciting to see this building welcome its community through its doors.” – David Adjaye

The William O. Lockridge/Bellevue Library is characterized by its celebration of views across the neighbourhood, and the insertion into the dramatically sloping site topography. The challenge was also to create a civic building within a residential context. Rather than a single monolithic form, the library is a cluster of geometric volumes, both elevated and grounded physically to the site.

Using the grounded main volume to host the library central stacks and primary reading, the elevated volumes create a welcoming portico at the entrance that can be used for events and informal gatherings. The volumes mediate the scale of the building by using small, medium and large forms, derived from the library’s program but also capturing the surrounding urban fabric and the site topography, while resonating with neighboring residences of a similar composition. Wrapped in a concrete and glazed skin replete with timber fins, the envelope not only resolves structural and shading requirements, but also articulates the vertical presence of the building juxtaposed to the sloping landscape.

By fragmenting the building into smaller volumes, the arrangement takes advantage of the natural topography by setting the library to maximize the eastern exposure for filtered natural lighting, which is the primary light source. On plan, the volumes follow the geometry of the site to form a series of identical, shifting rectangles.

The library service areas are layered, with adults, teenage and children’s services contained within the separate volumes. The first floor contains the circulation desk, adult browsing, sights and sound, a meeting room and library staff support spaces. The second floor has additional adult browsing and children services. The third floor contains further adult, meeting rooms and teen services. The concrete staircase, taking visitors up to the higher levels, matches the incline of the street to suggest a sense of bringing the street – and the neighbourhood – inside.

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by Adjaye Associates appeared first on Dezeen.