Library Buildings around the World

plaza to the main circulation route on the Ground Floor. A landscaped area acts as a buffer zone between the new building and the
Dublin Road. Part of this area is dedicated to a Campus plaza creating a public space, permitting a wide variety of Student activities
to take place with the new building acting as a backdrop. The scale and treatment of the building creates a specific character and
accumulates at the Eastern end with vertical projecting copper sails. The copper clad sails acutely project out from the building
permitting light to filter into the Library area and they also provide a degree of protection from direct sunlight. These sails by their
form, act as acoustic baffles and internally reflect light deep into the library plan. Framed views are strategically gained at the sail
junctions where strip windows are inserted. The concept addresses the desire to create a significant and identifiable form enhancing
the exterior image and appearance of the Institute in keeping with its status as a successful, prestigious and ambitious Third Level
Institute of Education. (Murray)
Scott Tallon Walker Architects, Dublin – Ireland
http://www.stw.ie
Libraries:
National University of Ireland, John Paul II Library, Maynooth – Ireland 2012
The proposed extension is located to the East of the existing John Paul II Library on the south campus at NUI Maynooth and will
result in of 9,995 m2 of usable floor space. The proposed extension is based on the same planning grid used in the current building
and is linked to it with a full height atrium. The form of the extension is similar in terms of height and mass however the proposed
extension exhibits a different external aesthetic, a result of the requirement to control the internal environment yet maximise the
amount of natural light entering the building yet allowing views out. The external appearance of the design projects a sophisticated
elegant appearance appropriate to a new state of the art facility. (Scott)
Dundalk Institute of Technology, Library and Information Resource Center, Dundalk, CO, Louth –
Ireland 2001
4.909 m²
The new Learning and Information Resource Centre is sited opposite the new main entrance to the campus on the Dublin road, and
was envisaged as a ‘flagship’ building for the rapidly expanding Institute.
A double height entrance concourse functions as the main circulation space, from which link corridors connect to the hospitality
training building and the original College buildings. The Concourse areas also facilitate a variety of exhibitions and social functions.
The Library on first and second floor is a state of the art facility, with open plan study areas, a quiet reading room, casual seating
areas, as well as group study and seminar spaces. A roof garden is located at first floor, which enhances the feeling of space and
openness. Light is brought deep into the plan with five zinc clad roof lights, located above light wells in the floor slab below. These
are temperature controlled and permit a stack effect cooling of the building. (Scott)
Dublin City University, Library and Library Resource Center, Dublin – Ireland 1995 - 2000
Client: Dublin City University, Area: 10.400 sqm
Awards:
2002 SCONUL Library Design Award
The brief for the new Library required a modern, flexible facility, incorporating the latest advances in library technology and
facilities, reflecting the status of the University as a young, progressive, dynamic learning establishment and as a centre of academic
excellence. 10,000 sq. m. of floor space has been provided, accommodating 1500 seats, 250,000 books and 50,000 journals.
The building has been planned with a vertical hierarchy with the main library service activities at lower levels and academic
activities on upper floors. The central concourse area is roofed with a glazed barrel vault allowing daylight to penetrate to the centre
of the building.‘Study Cells’ on each floor are expressed externally by the projecting bay windows and by the distinctive top lit
lanterns at roof level which allow light and natural ventilation to enter the building. (Scott)
University of Dublin, Trinity College, Rowan Hamilton and Biotechnology Building, Library, Dublin –
1990 - 1993
Awards:
1993 Construction Excellence Award Special Commendation
1993 PLAN Regional Awards Hightly Commended
The principles established in the East End Masterplan and in the construction of the O’Reilly Institute were further developed in
these buildings, designed and built under one contract. The Rowan Hamilton brief was for a series of large undergraduate lecture
theatres and a science library.
The biotechnology building is a research facility, some of which is commercial leasable space. The section concept of the Masterplan
proved itself both adaptable and flexible, so with the constant of the renovated Westland Row houses and the student street behind,
new sections were evolved to suit the functional requirements, and a double height colonnade at ground level on the college side was
introduced. The cladding, as with the O’Reilly Institute, was in modular etched granite aggregate GRC panels. (Scott)
Shaffrey Associates Architects, Dublin – Ireland
http://www.shaffrey.ie
Libraries:
Johnston Central Library and Farnham Centre, Cavan Town – Ireland 2006
CLIENT: Cavan County Council
Awards:
RIA. Exhibition Award
• NDA Accessibility through Excellence Award
• Public Library Buildings Awards U.K. and Ireland
• Mary Finch Accessibility Awards
• Highly commended ‘Architecture meets Practicality Award’
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