Library Buildings around the World

“The New Culture Centre and Library in Karlshamn is a library of the future, which is accessible, diverse and flexible. It is
an example of a reinterpretation of the Nordic architectural tradition with a focus on the human scale, the Nordic light and
the use of robust materials,” explained Mr Kim Holst Jensen, partner at schmidt hammer lassen architects.
The New Cultural Centre and Library in Karlshamn is the latest project in a long row of libraries designed by schmidt
hammer lassen architects. This is the third library designed by the practice in Sweden. In 2006, the 8,000 square metre
library in Halmstad was inaugurated, and the extension of the Växjö City Library was completed in 2003. Furthermore,
schmidt hammer lassen architects is working on two libraries in Canada – one in Halifax and one in Edmonton – and
another library, Dokk 1, in Aarhus, Denmark. Dokk 1 will be the largest public library in Scandinavia when it is finished in
2014. (Schmidt)
Halifax Central Library, Halifax, NS – Canada in construction (2014)
Local architect: Fowler Bauld & Mitchell
Client: Halifax Regional Municipality & Halifax Public Libraries, Area: 14,500 m2, Construction
Budget: € 32.8 million. Competition: 2010, 1st prize in a restricted international competition
Status: Construction period 2011 – 2014, Interior design: shldesign
The new Halifax Central Library is to be sited on a prominent position in downtown Halifax. The site itself is bound by the
heritage neighbourhood of Schmidtville, the historic Citadel Hill, Dalhousie University School of Architecture and the
busiest shopping street east of Montreal, Spring Garden Road. The new library will become a multifunctional cultural hub
with direct accessibility to the vibrant surrounding urban context of historic and new buildings, and the buzz of downtown.
When finished the library building will stand as an iconic reflection of the diversity of the community and modern life within
the municipality as a whole, and stand as a flagship for all 14 branch libraries servicing the whole municipality.
The construction of the library is essentially cubic in form with four significant 'volumes' vertically placed on top of one
another with a horizontally twisted and shifted facade alignment. A number of distinctive cantilevers and one signature
larger cantilevered element create a voluminous expression whereas the remaining façades align elegantly with the
neighbouring façade of the classic architecture of Dalhousie University’s Architecture School. From the top of the building
access to an open green roof terrace provides a unique view towards Halifax Harbour, Citadel Hill, the historic George’s
Island, Dartmouth and onto McNabs Islands that reaches out towards the North Atlantic Ocean.
Every stage of the architectural design process has been carried out through extensive monthly public consultations; and
several workshops with various focus groups have been held. Live streaming on the library's website has ensured all future
users of the library have had a substantial influence on the design process. The citizens of Halifax have welcomed this
initiative by participating in these events and have provided important contributions, for instance the way green space is
represented within the building and how light is brought into the building, the establishment of private spaces and also the
priority of seating and workspaces.
The project is aiming ambitiously towards a LEED Gold certification. The façade of the building is intended to reflect the
local history of the site which was once a central local 'garden' and significant green space within the heart of the city. An
abstracted 'leaf' motif of varying densities creates a façade that appears more solid in some areas, yet fully open in others
reflecting the strong seasonal nature of the much loved trees that surround the site. The approach is to combine this local
reference with that of a Scandinavian design signature and to create a modern hybrid library building that will stand out
from other public buildings.
The new Halifax Central Library is the most significant public building to be built in Halifax in a generation, and will
represent the diverse communities, talents, and creativity of the residents of Halifax throughout the municipality and
present this to the world. (Schmidt)
Edmonton Public Library, Highland Branch – Canada 2013
The Highlands Branch has been serving customers in northeast Edmonton, Highlands, Montrose and Bellevue communities
since 1962 when it began operations in a storefront. In 1963, the branch moved into a cottage at 8606-118 Avenue and was
affectionately known as the “Little House Library”. The current building, located at 6710-118 Avenue, was constructed in
1964. Since that time, the area's population has grown and its needs related to library service have changed.
Construction will begin soon and we hope that a new library stimulates further development and upgrading along 118th
Avenue as well as improving the quality of life for area residents. The proposed design is intended to be an open pavilion
conveying the idea of democracy and openness, that the building is open to all; a free public space, a place to read, a place to
learn, a place to meet, a place to be. The new Highlands Branch - being re-built in its current location - will be a distinctive
landmark for the district and corridor with its bold form and openness. Expected opening date for the new branch is Fall
2013. (http://www.epl.ca/about-epl/building-projects)
Aberdeen University Library, Kings College, Scotland – UK 2009 – 2011
Client: University of Aberdeen, 15,500 m² , Construction sum: € 40 million excl. VAT, Competition: 2005, 1st prize in
restricted, international competition, Engineer: Arup & Partners Ltd, Quantity Surveyors: Davis Langdon LLP, Landscape
Architects: schmidt hammer lassen architects.
The building process of the University of Aberdeen New Library in Scotland is well underway as the topping-out ceremony
just took place. The 15,500 m² landmark is expected to open to the public in 2011. The University of Aberdeen, established in
1495, is the fifth oldest English-language university in the world. In 2005, schmidt hammer lassen architects won the
international competition to design the new university library which is to replace the existing Queen Mother Library. The
new library will reinforce the reputation of the University as an important academic institution, as a place of research,
learning and teaching. The 15,500 square metres of floor-space will host over a quarter of a million books, maps and
manuscripts, as well as 1,200 reader spaces in a variety of environments, where cutting edge technologies are available.
Additionally, Special Libraries and Archives offer historical collections in connection to a secure rare books reading room.
The new library will be run by approximately 60 staff and serve a community of over 16,000 students. “University of
Aberdeen New Library will be an exciting embodiment of the library of the future: open, multi-functional and accessible. It
will be both a meeting place and a cultural centre for the University and the wider Aberdeen community; offering public
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