Library Buildings around the World

Architektid Muru & Pere OÜ, Tallinn - Estonia
http://www.vamp.ee
Libraries:
Nurmenuku Library, Tallinn – Estonia 2007
609 m²
The architect Peeter Pere described the building as an experiment with the room and the light.
In the elaboration of the building he used veneer, metal, concrete and glass as a collage. The outer shell of the building is like a
porous sponge that imbibes the light in the day to irradiate it in the dark.
Nurmenuku Library’s service ground is 608,7 square metres. New modern interior decoration, cool chairs, sitting pillows on the
stairs enable everyone to feel comfortable while spending time at the library. Children can use the white curtain in the children’s
reading area to make themselves a small library of their own, where it is fun to be with their friends and discover the world of books.
On the blackboard wall everyone can demonstrate their drawing skills in chalk. In summer it is possible to read a book on the
library’s balcony, if the weather permits…..
(http://www.librarybuildings.info/estonia/nurmenuku-library)
Pääsküla Library, Tallinn – Estonia 2002 - 2005
510 m²
Detailed description:
After the Soviet Period Pääsküla Library is the first library in Tallinn which is specially designed and built for library. It was
designed by architecture bureau Architects Muru & Pere OÜ. The architect Peeter Pere has described the building: „Pääsküla
Library has a simple, even archetypical form. The financial situation was taken into account when designing the library. Also the
building traditions of the district, the function of the building and the needed size. All the components were piled on a small building
site. Facade is one board wall without windows, other side without the wall – only single window. Windows are scattered as raisins
on two sides of the building for flavouring, mixed some spirit of the place, cool staircase added between two floors – and done.“
Pääsküla library is very accessible. It is located by the highway, 1-5 minutes walking distances from the bus stops and 2 minutes
walking distance from the railway station. The grocery store is nearby. You can’t miss the library, even in the dark. The library has
quite good accessibility conditions for physically disabled people.
Pääsküla library has two floors. On the ground floor there are mostly shelves with books and on the first floor there is a reading
room and 8 internet workstations. The books for children and youth are located on the first floor. On the first floor there are also
being displayed Peeter Pere’s three works of art from series „Positsioonid. MZ 108-04. Makarov. Parabellum”, they belong to
Tallinn’s art collection. Mentioned series was in Venetian Biennale in 1999, in Estonia Peeter Pere received a Kristjan Raud’s
Award.
Architecture critic Urmas Oja has written in the newspaper „Areen“ about the Pääsküla library: „The new Pääsküla library is not
stagnantly monofunctional, it is suitable for reaserches as well as playground children who are still learning to spell. /.../ Architects
Muru & Pere’s new building is very modern construction, which lacks at times overexploited suddenness. Relatively small size of the
building gave an opportunity for more playful and human approach, so that the outcome was warm and friendly.“
(http://www.librarybuildings.info/estonia/paeaeskuelz-library)
Architectural Studio JVR, Tallinn - Estonia
http://www.jvr.ee
Libraries:
Viljandi City Library, Viljandi – Estonia 2002
ILMAR JALAS
11.07.2003
Architect: Architectural studio JVR
Author: Ilmar Jalas, co-author Laila Põdra
Structural design: Ago-Allan Kuddu
Bank interiors: Rasmus Tamme, Tambet Pedak (OÜ ARS Projekt)
Library interiors: Üllar Varik (Varik Projekt)
Completed: 2002
The construction of the new Viljandi City Library building has quite a unique story. The structure is divided into two parts. Each
part has it’s own property, owner, contractor and architect, only the administrator is the same. The major part of the library was
constructed as a new building that is owned by Viljandi Centrum Ltd who rents it out to the City. Four architects’ offices responded
to the announced open bidding (for the reconstruction without the new part). Because of some bureaucratic formalities our office
was not eligible to compete for the reconstruction project. The job was given to RTG Projektbüroo Ltd., the author of the design is
Jelena Beljajeva. It meant that the whole library building could not be designed by the same architect. The designer of the new
extension had to start with the pre-existing design of the lobby and the main stairwell.
We still have to take major steps towards a democratic society. All city residents, including the City officers have a chance, even a
professional duty to foresee the design problems of the future buildings in the master planning process. When a city government, a
property owner or other interested party have very certain wishes in terms of building height, roof shape, windows and so on, it
makes sense to write these restrictions into the master plan. But why do the interested parties wake only when the bulldozers are
already working on the site? It is because authority wants to interfere but doesn’t want to take responsibility.
When the client has given the architect the room program, the floor heights are given by the neighbouring building’s stairways and
the contour of the building is determined by the property lines the architect only has to design the suitable door and window
openings. ….
(http://www.solness.ee/maja/?mid=130&id=290)
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