Library and media centre, Leipzig - Léon Wohlhage Wernik

Library and media centre,
Leipzig
Location Leipzig
Description University library and media centre for the HTWK Leipzig
Status compelted, competition in 2004 (1st prize)
Planning period 2004–2007
Construction period 2007–2009
Type Culture / Education
GFA 8.000 m 2
Work phase 1-8
Client Staatsbetrieb Sächsisches Immobilien- und Baumanagement,
Niederlassung Leipzig II
© LÉON WOHLHAGE WERNIK, Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH

Plan 3rd floor
Structural Engineering
Erfurth und Mathes GmbH, Leipzig
Service Engineering
Ingenieurbüro Erabi, Dresden
Outdoor Facilities
Planungsbüro EGL, Leipzig
LÉON WOHLHAGE WERNIK, Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH
Library and media centre, Leipzig
The library and media centre are an important focus of the urban plan. They create
a framework for the newly organised campus of the university on Karl-Liebknecht-
Strasse. As the largest university of applied sciences in Saxony, the HTWK Leipzig
has over 800 workspaces in the library and provides a wide range of research possibilities
for its approx. 7,000 students. The sculptural form of the buildings creates
a harmonious and yet powerful ensemble. With the homogeneous façade and
reflecting glass mosaic tiles, the pair of buildings appear as an abstract, shimmering
sculpture. Three upper floors of the library reach eleven metres into the urban
space. The large projection creates an airy covered forecourt. The street corner is
spatially framed by this hallmark figure. Despite the location within the block, the
library presents itself as a public building, a striking conclusion of the university
location within the city.
Above the protected square, visitors reach the entrance and are welcomed by a
broad printed glass front. Inside, three large reading rooms define the character of
the library. Their fair-faced concrete walls are glazed in blue, yellow and aubergine
red colours. Large windows provide views of the colourfully designed rooms, which
combine with the light to radiate liveliness. Interesting visual references are created
inside from the double-storey reading rooms with adjoining galleries. On the four
upper library levels, there are reading places with different characteristics directly
connecting to the open-access sections. The large stairs, lifts and installations are
grouped to form the “backbone” for all floors. The administration is situated separately
in the building’s rear section.
Next door, in the media centre, teaching is carried out in media and printing technology.
Printing techniques are taught on the ground floor and basement. Upstairs
in the projecting part of the building, there is a professional recording studio with
an adjoining control room.
www.leonwohlhagewernik.de
© LÉON WOHLHAGE WERNIK, Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH, Fotos: © Christian Richters