Library Buildings around the World

Fogh & Følner, Lyngby – Denmark
http://www.fogh-folner.com
Libraries:
Central Library Asnæs – Denmark 2007
(see also: Day Bukh Architects, Sydney – Australia)
Royal Academy of Fine Arts Library, Copenhagen – Denmark 2007
(see also: Day Bukh Architects, Sydney – Australia)
Henning Larsen Architects A/S, Copenhagen – Denmark
http://www.henninglarsen.com
Libraries:
Frederiksberg Hovedbibliotek – Denmark 2004
Auftraggeber: Stadt Frederiksberg mit Beratung durch Carl Bro A / S, NCC Construction Danmark A / S
Baukosten: 30 Millionen Euro. Kroner (Neubau / Sanierung), Hauptbibliothek:6.200 m2, Es Neubauten: 1500 m2, Architekt:
Henning Larsen Architects A / S, Ulrik Raysse, Inventar: BCI A / S, PO Furniture A / S, Botium Bering Thyssen A / S, NORDPLAN
A / S, Inbetriebnahme: 10. August 2004, Eröffnung im September 2004
Albertslund Bibliotek – Denmark 2002 – 2004
Collaborators: Cowi and Esbensen
Client: Municipality of Albertslund, Gross floor area: 3,000 m2, Type of assignment: First prize in invited competition
The children's library has also had more space and light. New pillow lounges have made the experience of borrowing a book more
complete; it has become possible to stay in the world of books for a while and thereby becoming familiar with and hopefully
experiencing joy by being in a world of wisdom. The process of renovating Albertslund Public Library has been characterised by a
common vision shared by the municipality and consultants, which means that the aesthetic and functional ambitions have been in
focus together with the wish for energy efficient design. The project can be said to be one of the first IED cooperation projects in
Denmark. The engineering company Esbensen and Henning Larsen Architects together incorporated design elements for natural,
hybrid ventilation and control of daylight. The architects from Henning Larsen Architects were Lars Steffensen, Rasmus Pedersen,
Frants Drewniak, Claus Simonsen and Margrete Grøn. (Henning)
IT University, Copenhagen – Denmark 2004
Client: Danish National Research and Education Buildings, Gross floor area: 19,000 m2, Year of construction: 2001 - 2004
Type of assignment: First prize in invited competition, 2000
The IT University is arranged around a large central atrium. In the atrium, a number of group and meeting rooms, designed as
corbelled boxes, are placed in a dynamic composition – like extracted drawers of various sizes.
A digital art installation by the American artist John Maeda creates a dynamic and interactive visual composition in the atrium,
projecting words and images onto the white meeting boxes.
The ground floor comprises the common facilities; lecture halls, students’ café, canteen and library. All research and teaching areas
are located on the upper floors. Teaching facilities in open study areas surrounding the atrium and research departments in the
calmer zones at both ends of the building.
The building stands elevated above terrain. A metal clad frame folds around the entire volume in one singular dynamic movement.
The glass facades inside the frame are divided into horizontal ribbons of glass of varying colour and character – powerful greencoloured
glass, translucent glass and clear glass. (Henning)
Universitetsbiblioteket Roskilde – Denmark 1999 – 2001
Client: Danish Ministry of Education, Gross floor area: 7,600 m2, First prize in invited competition
The library is characterized by transparency and openness, and it forms one side of a new garden. The glass facades allow an
excellent view of the garden, where a lake surrounds the library building.
The light and reflections of the trees in the lake add special character to the building, changing in accordance with the seasons. The
library consists of a long, three-storey brick building and a distinctive glass building, in which a large part of the lending department
is placed in an 8 meters high room of 2,300 m2. The room is connected with two floors of the long building, and the top floor is
designed as a balcony in the open volume.
The intention was to design the largest volume possible for the lending departments to ensure a clear view and to give the daily
visitor and the staff an experience of spatiality. The library contains open library areas, offices for the administrative staff, three
classrooms, study hall and an exhibition area. The module of the large lending area is 9 meters, which ensures a high degree of
flexibility for the arrangement of the bookshelves. (Henning)
Institute of Diplomatic Studies, Riyadh - Saudi Arabia 2013
Partners: Buro Happold and Geoffrey Barnett Associates
Client: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saudi Arabia, Gross floor area: 46,000 m2, Year of construction: 2010 - 2013
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will expand with a new building that is to house facilities
for the Institute of Diplomatic Studies and Consular Affairs Department. The new building comprises among others a large
auditorium, lecture halls, library, classrooms, a large hall for visa applicants and office space. The building accommodates a
number of shared facilities e.g. a cafeteria and prayer rooms.
The site is unique, oriented towards the big lush park space with the two monuments: Nasseriyah Gate and the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. The new building will correspond and contribute positively with its well-defined architecture to the area.
Elaborated façades will make the large building vary vividly when passing by, and like looking through a veil one will sense
the life and activities within the building.When entering, the architecture of the building is expressive and easily conceivable.
All the larger facilities for the Consular Affairs Department and the Institute of Diplomatic Studies are located in a large
room stepping upward (the stepped oasis).
An intelligent façade
The façade is a 3 dimensional pattern that appears as a characteristic veil laid over the building. Through the façade one will
sense the lively atmosphere and activity on the stepped oasis inside the building. From the street the entry and hall for the
visa department appear open and welcoming. From the inside there is a clear view to the outside from the stepped oasis.
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