Library Buildings around the World

Waltritsch A+U Architetti Urbanisti, Triest – Italy
http://www.studiowau.it
Libraries:
KB Center Library Building, Gorizia – Italy 2006
1.800 m², € 650.000
The K B Center is a space for cultural and social interaction dedicated to the Slovenian community in Gorizia, located in the heart of
the city’s 19th century development. The main goal of the center is to promote Slovenian cultural activity within a multi-ethnic
framework. The center brings together 13 organizations dedicated to different cultural interest and age groups. Among these are a
library, two educational institutions, the Slovenian Cultural and Economic Association and a music school. The brief required the
adaptive reuse of an existing building as well as the realization of a new two storey structure to house the library in the interior
courtyard. The design of the new building establishes a dialogue between the historical context of the site and a contemporary
architectural language through its form, which is largely influenced by the physical constrictions of the historical city. The new
building was conceived as ‘a large piece of furniture which slides on the courtyard floor’, in order to maintain the intimacy of the
courtyard and garden. The frameless facade is realized in synthetic wood and glass in order to create a delicate insertion into the
urban fabric with neighboring buildings less than five meters away. The large windows act as program displays allowing for visual
connects between the interiors of the library and the refurbished garden space. The ground floor houses the new Qubik cafe towards
the street. The cafe together with the new wide event terrace on the first floor, and with the conference room on the third floor
enthuse the space with public activity.
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