Library Buildings around the World

Croatia
AVP arhitekti, Zagreb – Croatia
http://www.avp.hr
Libraries:
Osijek University Library, Osijek – Croatia Competition
Architects: SANGRAD Architects + AVP Arhitekti, Location: Osijek, Croatia, Team: Vedran Pedišić, Mladen Hofmann, Iva
Marjančević, Gordana Gregurić-Miočić (SANGRAD Architects), Erick Velasco Farrera (AVP Arhitekti), Collaborators: Prof. Boris
Baljkas, Željko Bertić, Owner/Client: University J.J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Status: Competition entry – 1st Prize
Building Area: 13,400 m2
Designed by SANGRAD Architects + AVP Arhitekti, the first prize winning proposal for the Osijek University Library becomes a
place for cultural enrichment and at the same time, relaxation through the use of green loggias, clean energy, and a pleasant microclimate
on outdoor spaces. The importance of the proposal’s orientation is crucial; for the idea is to design an energy efficient
library, which was one of the starting components in the design. More images and architects’ description after the break.
The site where the project is located was practically defined by the program thus the proposal filled almost entirely its surface.
Following several analysis of different positions for the library, the concept to set the main entrance was set from the most opened
area (a green surface of a former sports arena on the east of the plot) thus it became the main square in front of the library. On the
west side, a secondary access was generated by the program guidelines for the functionality of the congress area so it could work
independently from the main library.
According to the future main promenade located on the southern part of the plot, and which will run through the whole campus, the
library opens itself on the ground floor with a glass facade and a large loggia through the upper floors to establish a physical and
visual contact. The technical spaces and services access was defined on the northern part.
The library’s space, just like any other architectural form that is in some way subordinate to utilitarian considerations, was thought
with different approaches. The solution emerged from the given program (size of the basement) and spatial sequences that were
generated with the character of a historical Osijek block structure (the fortress on the Upper and Lower Town). Thus, the library
becomes a building-block. The library building is programmatically and functionally determined by the central patio and inside was
situated the multifunctional hall which formally and metaphorically became the heart of the project . The building tilts its roof
towards the south for the accommodation of solar panel.
A library is a very specific spatial structure which is further defined by its functional scheme that belongs to this type of building, so
in order to respond to its functionality, the idea was to create spacious rooms with flexible layout of furniture, with a touch of
introversion, concentration, targeted and carefully located and directed lightning, diffuse and cool, with a quiet and partially
conservative atmosphere.
The external skin is solved in two layers. The first layer is a neutral, metallic, porous membrane that covers the outer contour of the
continuous structure (except the main entrance and the recessed loggias). This outer skin also works as a protective film against the
solar insulation, but at the same time makes it possible to have visual contact with the outside. The second layer makes multi-layered,
composite insulating glass. The interior space is completely open and thanks to the glass façade that filters the vistas from the outside
toward the inner patio. The facade of the multifunctional hall within the patio is the same as the outer shell; with the second layer
being a semi gloss metalized surface.
(http://www.archdaily.com/292472/osijek-university-library-winning-proposal-sangrad-architects-avp-arhitekti/)
Zadar University Library and Campus, Zadar – Croatia Competition 2009
Vedran Pedišić, (SANGRAD architects), Emil Špirić, Erick Velasco Farrera and Juan Jose Nunez Andrade (AVP_arhitekti) have
submitted their competition proposal for the University of Zadar Library in Zagreb, Croatia. The project received was awarded
with an honorable mention. The appearance of the composition is the primary visual phenomena. But yet to determine materiality,
tactility, invoice, smoothness and roughness, the detailed distribution of surface, surface variations, plans, open, fullness and
emptiness, the colors … some initial assumption is already there: it relies on visual approaches to the environment, the natural and
artificial forms of tradition and cultural standards, the trends and beliefs. The library building is introverted, dignified and a
typological highly ranked form. By itself, and because is located within a city where stone predominates, the project becomes a
number of solid volumes, like a sculpture from Chillida. The building is thus solid and closed on the exterior and opened within the
inner space, through which the inside of the library comes diffuse and shadowy light. Essential visual settings are defined as rough
materiality monochrome, external closed surfaces and the smoothness of glass, inner surfaces, all secondary visual art makes its way
from the interior and is expressed as the inner light, the movements of people, colors, and order books on the shelves. Material is
mostly reinforced concrete, a material of the outer lining is a cornerstone in the form of vertical slabs that encapsulates the basic
structures (external walls), and glass surfaces oriented mainly towards the north or shaded inner region. Libraries project proposes,
therefore, the protocol established basic scheme. The ground floor are set complementary facilities, the main entrance to the library
and the secondary entrances plus various components of the Library (administration, system support, treatment services), and the
entrances and exits from the garage. On the first floor are arranged four main functional units: - Library administrators - Collection
of open access - Closed circuit repository - Spaces for teaching. On the second, third and fourth floor are arranged, to house the
consulting areas, each of which have the option of flexible rearranging spaces. In the basement are allocated 135 garage parking
spaces. Orientation certain rooms is determined by the known rules: storage of books, shelves, cabinets, compacts. The reading area
is illuminated the by diffuse light from the vertical glass openings that are oriented toward the north or shady, sun-protected areas.
Rooms administration oriented towards the south with appropriate protection. Courtesy of AVP_arhitekti Architects: Vedran
Pedišić, (SANGRAD architects), Emil Špirić, Erick Velasco Farrera and Juan Jose Nunez Andrade (AVP_arhitekti). Location:
Zadar, Croatia. Owner/Client: Private .Status: Competition entry, honourable mention. Building Area: 13,500.00 m2
(http://www.archdaily.com/84496/zadar-library-sangrad-architects-and-avp_arhitekti/)
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