Library Buildings around the World

matter and lightness, solidity and instability, opaque and glazed materials in order to create a foreground/background relationship.
The volume of the new building runs very close to the old one on the ground level but then it bends away from it as it develops in
height. This choice was was made in order to allow more vital space for the old building. The new building is entirely wrapped in
light, white, punched metal sheets. When crossing openings the sheet metal overlaps the glazing and the diameter and dimension of
the punches increases to allow for more light inside. (DAP)
The building of the Public Library is one of the emerging architectural presence within the urban area of Lonate Ceppino.
The recovery of the historic building, the former Oratorio San Michele is done in accordance with seniority in both design solutions,
both in the choice of materials and finishes, all aimed at enhancing the original features of the building. The book, with a rectangular
floor plan, is on two levels: the ground floor had housed the headquarters of the existing library, while the upper floor was unused.
To complete the structure and the provision of necessary environment was then created a volume expansion parallel to the eastern
front, the new volume, which combines in a discreet way to seniority, contains links, vertical service spaces, the warehouse,
bathrooms for public swimming for the staff and facilities uprights. This made it possible to adapt the historic building functional
needs by bringing out all those elements that would have been more invasive, this choice allowed to minimize the demolition work
and has facilitated the sharing of service areas. The operation of adjusting the space to express functional requirements, provides for
the elimination of the volume facilities, abutting the east side of the historic building, as expansion of existing architectural
inadequate. It 'was also eliminated the staircase and not significantly affected compliance with current standards. The project
involved the rehabilitation of the structure acting on the presence of moisture, plaster, floors, roof. Outside, the building features a
main front entrance that reads, in the highest part, as a decorative element independent of the structure of the roof, this façade,
stands out beyond the eaves of the building. The design of the main front side refers to the idea of an unfinished tower in the end, it is
a two-dimensional shape that is not reflected in the interior. The decorative elements are found on the main front entrance door,
where both the above are framed by window frames and fit into an overall design of tables arranged horizontally by horizontal
bands placed at different heights, while a system of vertical pilasters on the front lines north , south and west divides the sequence of
windows on the lower level is higher than that. The east front is devoid of all the decorative elements described and appeared before
dell'intevento strongly affected by the presence of a volume containing local service, leaning against the building and new
construction. The library features a large open space organized for specific areas: the reference area with a small newspaper near
the entrance area, the area children, shelving and tables for the consultation, the upper floor houses a flexible space for conferences
and exhibitions. The architecture of the new volume is characterized by a profile that tapers in the top, one side seems inclined to
leave more space to retreat to the foot of coverage seniority. The dialectic between historical building and new extension is the key to
all the action and is the theme that has guided the design choices. The relationship between the two admissions was played
contrasting materiality and lightness, strength and instability, opaque materials and reflective materials. The emphasis of differences
enhances the characteristics of both volumes in a mutual relationship of figure and ground. The new volume is designed as a light
shell white sheet with holes on all sides. In correspondence with the openings behind the plate overlaps altering its perforated, the
holes gradually increase the diameter to expand to pass the light inside. This type of coating generates from outside the image of a
loss of consistency of the housing. The historic building and the new extension are connected in a central position by a low block with
glass roof, which is located in the entrance area: this allows a greater flexibility of interior space. A link was also provided on the
first floor through a volume of fitting fee covered, externally, in wood. Inside the volume expansion is monochromatic, with floor
enamel and resin on the walls, while in the historic flooring is oak, the coverage of the original wood floor was restored and
consolidated. The ladder and walkway are in white metal and have oak treads. Beyond the first level was built a sloping walkway
that leads to a small room lit by a corner window. This small area is the culmination of the particular spatial sequence that develops
inside the building. The lighting in common areas, is carried out carpets incandescent ceiling. Spaces of the library are equipped with
libraries in wood, designed as modular combinations that develop at different heights. The storage unit is the generating element of
the whole interior, has the form of a simple box and is designed to be mounted in order to create libraries with varying elevations
and modified. (http://archinfo.it)
Restoration of “Spedale di S. Antonio” and Public Library Lastra a Signa – Italy 2006
Restauration of Industrial Building and Public Library, Castellanza (Va) – Italy 2004
Part of more extensive plan to redevelop the area, the new Civic Library in Castellanza is housed inside an old industrial building
facing onto the river Olona. Together with the outside spaces the entire project acts in the small city like an authentic territorial zip,
inevitably bringing together a range of services, not just information but also leisure facilities. So there aren’t just reading and
references areas but also conversation and meeting rooms, as well as zone serving no set purposes. The project leaves the factory
structure exactly as it was: the building is a simple flat-roofed brick body on two floors that has been restored by bringing out its
distinctive elements: the brick walls, the concrete decorations, the vaulted roof and the inner light pillars The new projecting steel
bowindows are the elements that characterize the new intervention creating a strong relationship between inside and outside
They replace preexisting fixtures and are now used for communication/exhibition purposes or as simple coloured light –boxes: the
windows, infact, are characterized by a lighting that gradually changes its colour. The interiors, ranging from the ground-floor
conference and exhibition hall to the spacious top-floor library, are shaped like an archipelago of “functional islands” floating in a
free structure and standing out through their contrasting colours and materials. But, most significantly, they differ in terms of the
times, ways and speed with which they are used, because the project took this opportunity to devise a civic centre from a cuttingedge
technological viewpoint, gluing everything together along multimedia lines. Hence there is a polycarbonate “tunnel” for quick
consultation at a PC, spaces serving for more in-depht uses and purposes, and the study rooms ensuring greater privacy without
losing visual contact. All complementary means that are simultaneously present, enveloped by one single space in which interaction
and isolation are shaped along softer lines more than physical-distributional layering, making this facility the result of a customdesigned
project geared to performance. (DAP)
DUOarchitects studio associato & partners, Perugia – Italia
http://duoarchitech.it
Libraries:
Biblioteca Facoltà Umanistiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia – Italy 2010
The project of interior design and lighting design is geared towards the realization of a bibliotecare practical and modern space,
(over 200 reading seats, 150,000 volumes, including 60,000 on the open shelves, PCs and Wi-Fi access throughout the hotel), while
respecting the architectucturer. The design is aimed at enhancing the peculiarities of the building (trussed roofs, skylights,
organization on several levels), while meeting the needs of the final customer, to maximize space.
(http://www.archilovers.com/p73356/BIBLIOTECA-Facolta-Umanistiche---Humanities-Univ-Library#info)
9