Library Buildings around the World

spaces, exhibitions and events,” explains Morten Schmidt, Founding Partner at schmidt hammer lassen architects. The
sweeping contours and organic form of the vast spiralling volume of the atrium, connecting the eight storeys, contrast with
the clean cut exterior profile of the library. The glazed façade enables the library to appear shimmering during the day and
to glow in the night. Presently, half of the glass façades have been mounted; the remaining part will be mounted in the
coming weeks.
“University of Aberdeen New Library will be certified BREEAM Excellent which proves that the building is designed to
minimise long term running costs and energy use. For instance rainwater harvesting for use in the WC flushing and photo
voltaic cells on the roof of the library will be incorporated, as will the integrated hybrid ventilation and a series of intelligent
management systems to optimise the energy strategy. Moreover, the extensive glazing of the library provides high insulation
standards and plenty of daylight combined with that from the central atrium,” Stephen D. Willacy, Partner at schmidt
hammer lassen architects clarifies. He stresses that sustainability is integral to the holistic design process of schmidt hammer
lassen architects. schmidt hammer lassen architects works with libraries across all scales from branch libraries and central
libraries to university libraries. The practice is renowned for the extension of The Royal Library in Copenhagen, Denmark,
and has also designed Halmstad Library and the extension of Växjö Library in Sweden. Ongoing library projects include
Urban Mediaspace, Scandinavia’s biggest public library, in Aarhus, Denmark and two medium-size libraries in Halifax and
Edmonton, Canada. With 24 years of experience, schmidt hammer lassen architects is one of Scandinavia’s most recognised,
award-winning architectural practices and has a long track-record of designing educational and learning facilities. In
London, the practice has designed City of Westminster College which will have practical completion in November 2010 and
Chaucer Buchanan District Centre Library, Sheffield – UK 2008 – 2011
Client: English Partnerships, Area: 9,000 m², Construction sum: € 2.9 million excl. VAT,
Competition: 2007, 1st prize in restricted international competition, Status: Construction period
2010 – 2011, Project Manager and Quantity Surveyor: Sheffield City Council, Design & Project
Management, Engineer: Scott Wilson and Sheffield City Council, Design & Project Management
Landscape Architect: Sheffield City Council, Design & Project Management
The Chaucer Buchanan District Library Learning Centre is located in the northern part of Sheffield. The purpose built
library and learning centre will provide exceptional facilities for teaching and learning and will be an important catalyst for
the regeneration of the neighbourhood.
The new building will house a public library and the offices of the Southey Owlerton area regeneration partnership. A new
public square is located in front of the building and will form the centre and gathering point for the neighbourhood.
Adhering to a Scandinavian architectural tradition, careful consideration has been given to the use of natural daylight,
choice of materials and interaction between the internal spaces. The building opens up towards the new public square with a
large glazed facade creating a connection between the inside and outside and inviting people into the library learning centre.
With its energy efficient design, the new library will set a high standard of environmental sustainability with attention paid
to reduce life cycle and maintenance costs.
The Library Learning Centre is part of the overall development of the new Chaucer Buchanan District Centre in North
Sheffield. The project was assigned to schmidt hammer lassen architects through a framework agreement with English
Partnerships. (Schmidt)
City of Westminster College, Library, London – UK 2008 - 2010
Client: City of Westminster College, Area: 24,000m², Construction Sum: € 81 million excl. VAT, Competition 2006, 1st prize
in restricted international competition, Status: Construction period 2008 – 2010, Engineer: Buro Happold, United Kingdom,
Landscape Architect: schmidt hammer lassen architects, Main Contractor: McLaren Construction Ltd, Other Consultants
Knight Frank LLP, Stace LLP
Awards:
2011, World Architecture Festival, shortlisted in the Learning category
2011, shortlisted for The Concrete Society Awards
2011, RIBA Award
2011, New London Award, Learning category
The new flagship Campus for City of Westminster College by schmidt hammer lassen architects is designed to support new
ways of teaching and learning. The 24,000m2 College, won in a competition in 2006, provides much greater amounts of open
learning spaces than typical colleges in the UK and holds state-of-the-art facilities for both students and staff. The building is
designed to embrace interaction and diversity and allow students to learn from each other, both formally and informally.
The learning spaces of City of Westminster College are adaptable and flexible so that, in addition to the integrated
technology, the students’ development is supported by the diverse architectural spaces of the very building they are in. It is a
design which encourages new ways of teaching and learning.
The College is located in the heart of Central London at Paddington Green on the site of its previous building, an inefficient
and failing 1960s block. The building has been designed from the inside-out, responding to the needs of the diverse groups
who use the College, as well as taking into account the sensitive local context. It appears as a clean-cut, modern building with
a distinct Scandinavian heritage. The building’s simple geometric forms rotate around a terraced atrium, creating a unifying
yet flexible organisation.
The respective floor plans surrounding the atrium have visual connections from one floor to the other, making the atrium a
dynamic centre and the heart of the College. The large atrium, which on some floors extends all the way to the façade,
enhances the relationship between the inside and the outside. It offers light-filled, open and inclusive spaces which encourage
the interaction between students.
To support connectivity with the local community, most public functions – including an exhibition area, a theatre and a café
– are located adjacent to the main entrance before the security turnstiles. The choice of colours for the building is inspired
by its context and by the change of the seasons, whilst the light timber panels lining the interior form a contrast to the
exposed concrete surfaces and underline the Scandinavian design heritage.
The building is designed to be sustainable and energy efficient and the overall scheme will have a low maintenance liability,
significantly reducing the building’s lifespan costs and carbon footprint.
Halmstad, Växö – Sweden 2004 – 2006
Client: The Municipality of Halmstad, Area: 8,000 m², Construction sum: € 12 million excl. VAT
Competition: 2002, 1st prize in restricted Nordic competition, Status: Construction period 2004 –
2006, Engineer: Rambøll A/S, Interior design: shldesign
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