Library Buildings around the World

The buildings of the new campus run in line with the existing structure in a north-south direc-tion and define the approach to the
city in a new way. The different functions of the university are to be found in an H-shaped seminar and institute building and a
square central building with lecture halls, cafeteria and library, which can also be used for external events. (Gerber)
Recklinghausen Campus of the Gelsenkirchen University of Applied Sciences, Department of Material
Science and Business Engineering, Library, Recklinghausen - Germany - 1999 – 2001
Client: Land Nordrhein Westfalen vertr. durch das Staatliche Bauamt Recklinghausen competition: 1995 - 1st Prize, Construction
period: 1999 – 2001 Gross area: 19.480 m², Volume: 83.853 m³
The three cubic buildings of the university of applied sciences, plastered in white, form a group along an ascending, narrow forum at
the transition point between the city and the open countryside. The central forum is characterised by the stairs, which follow the
topography and can be used as seats, and by the timber-clad lecture halls, which protrude out from the row of buildings. The cubic
central building housing the library and the cafeteria gives way to an elongated ascending forum. The library comprises the ground
floor and the gallery level and is connected to the main building of the campus by a glazed steel footbridge. Window panes over two
floors and a skylight ensure adequate daylight. (Gerber)
Fachhochschule Lüneburg. Fachbereich Automatisierungstechnik, Lüneburg University of Applied
Sciences, Department of Automation Technology , Lüneburg – Germany 1996 – 1997
Competition: 1993 - 1st Prize, Client: Land Niedersachsen vertr. durch das Staatshochbauamt Lüneburg, Gross area: 10.930 m²
Volume: 52.800 m³
The elongated new building unites all functions of the university in one slender, three-storey structure, which opens up to a forecourt
in the east and virtually projects into the slope in the west. The existing topography is picked up inside the building in the form of a
wide staircase, which becomes a striking feature of the design. (Gerber)
Göttingen State and University Library, Niedersächsische Staats- u. Universitätsbibliothek, Göttingen –
Germany 1991 - 1993
Client: Land Niedersachsen vertr. durch das Staatshochbauamt Göttingen, Competition: 1985 – 1st Prize, Construction period: 1991
– 1993, Gross area: 47.059 m², Volume: 189.730 m³
Awards:
1994 BDA-Preis Niedersachsen 1994; Niedersächsische Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Göttingen
The state and university library is one of the five biggest libraries in Germany and has a valuable stock of books. Its structure
resembling the “back of a hand with five fingers” is par-tially due to the urban surrounding and partially derives from the internal
pattern of utilization. The most frequented areas are situated directly along the lofty entrance hall. Inside the “fin-gers” the visitor
finds bright working and reading areas. (Gerber)
Library of the Institute for Art History (Kunsthistorisches Institut), Florence - Italy 2004 - 2013
2004 - 1st Prize, Client: Max Planck Gesellschaft München, 4.000 m², € 6.145.000
The reading room, the heart of every library, defines the library’s atmosphere and working conditions. Here it is designed
underground enclosing a large oak tree. A circular skylight provides daylight for the work areas on two levels. Open access
shelves and repositories, not accessible for the public, are found on three sides in the back of the reading room. (Gerber)
King Fahad National Library Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - 2010
Client: Königreich Saudi-Arabien vertr. durch die Arriyadh Development Authority Competition: 2002 - 1st Prize;
Construction period: 2007 – 2010; Gross area: 68.500 m²; Volume: 452.000 m³
The square new building encases the old library, which holds the archives like a treasure chest. The old roof will be a
reading room, whereas its newly designed dome remains visible above the flat roof of the new building. A three-
dimensional steel wire construction serves as an external sun protection. Its white membrane interprets Arabic traditions
technologically and culturally in a modern way. (Gerber)
The square building with its vibrant, geometric order of the libraries in the 1970s and stands out clearly from the
heterogeneous urban landscape from. In the midst of an urban park, the new library will be open and transparent and,
despite its size on delicate nature intertwined with the urban space. It forms a cubic "ring" around the preserved according
to criteria listed old building, which forms an architectural whole with the new building. Thus, the flat roof of the old
building serves as a reading room, while inside it - are the books magazines - such as in a treasure chest. Reached the
bridges over the visitors from the reading room open access area on the third floor of the new building. The existing dome is
being redesigned as a steel and glass construction and towers over the new roof that covers the inner courtyards and the
reading room. A tense beneath the roof membrane filters the white elongated by skylights and daylight urgent supplies all
rooms evenly with glare-free light. Take over at night lights above the membrane serving as a light blanket that function.
On the ground floor are located around the old building except the main entrance hall primarily exhibit space, a restaurant
and a bookshop. Of the other occupations separated and accessible, the Library of the women in the first floor of the new
southwest wing is housed. Clamped white membrane surfaces, which are held by a three-dimensional steel rope threads
under construction to serve, before the floor facades as a sunscreen and interpret the Arabic tradition of tent structures on
technologically advanced manner. Also here is the cultural understanding of Arabs enshrined principle of covering the
entrance into the architecture. The addition of old and new provides a unified and representative architectural appearance
with a characteristic shape is formed. At night the facade glows in alternating colors and becomes a cultural beacon in the
city. (http://www.baunetzde)
gh2 architekten (Reiner Gumpp – Gabi Himmer), Neustadt/Weinstrasse – Germany
http://www.gh2-architekten.de
Libraries:
Stadtbibliothek Schwäbisch Hall – Germany 2001
Modehaus am Milchmarkt Schwäbisch Hall Umbau zur Stadtbibliothek
Bauherr: Stadt Schwäbisch Hall BRI: 9 700m3
Awards:
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