Library Buildings around the World

MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts – USA 2009
Design collaboration Leers Weinzapfel Associates, Structural design Weidlinger Associates, Inc. SDG, Structural Design
GroupFacility design Cosentini Associates.
MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for the design and art activities, which also provides an excellent
base functionality and architecture. There is Media Research, the Center for Bits and Atoms, arts and science university
programs related to media and other relevant groups will be accommodated in a while is not unique organization
departments and disciplines. Its activities have developed a wide range of operas ranging from quantum computing. This
facility is one of seven research groups and arranged around a central atrium that develops three-dimensional, top-floor
exhibition space and events, and views of the Charles River in Boston, lecture halls, conference rooms, cafes and from being
configured. (Maki)
Republic Polytechnic, Singapore – Singapore 2007
(Polytechnic)/Library/Gymnasium/AuditoriumStructural SystemReinforced Concrete / Steel FrameNumber of Floors11+1
BasementSite Area200,000m2Buiding Area70,000m2Total floor Area210,000m2Local Architect/General PlannerDP
Architects Pte. Ltd.Structural EngineerMeinhardt (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Mechanical / Electrical EngineerBeca Carter
Hollings & Ferner (S.E.Asia) Pte. Ltd. Landscape ArchitectOhtori Consultants Environmental Design Institute/ Acoustic
ConsultantNagata Acoustics Inc., Acviron Acoustics Consultants Pte. Ltd.
While the campus maintains existing green areas of the site and coexists with the existing topography, it also introduces new
landscape elements which make contrasts to the natural wilderness. The new landscape strengthens the sense of place and
ties the various campus buildings together as a whole. As a master plan strategy, the Republic Polytechnic is conceived as a
campus with a central nucleus of main educational programs. The central nucleus contains 11 identical learning pods and a
staff administration building. Two elliptical spaces of common facilities, namely the Lawn and the Agora, unify these
learning pods. These formal spatial compartments are brought together by generous spaces for congregation, where a
myriad of informal interaction between students and faculty can take place. The central nucleus is connected by bridges to
the main administration building, Cultural Center, indoor parking and gymnasium facilities. (Maki)
Naito Architect & Associates, Tokyo – Japan
http://www.naitoaa.co.jp
Tokomachi Public Library, Tomamachi – Japan 1999
Tokamachi public library (Niigata Prefecture-Tokamachi) 1999. Primarily, the success of this project is the social impact to the
community, becoming a benchmark or milestone. The space is large and of high quality, the differences in height give a lot of
movement and the books are posted inside the walls disappear and make them stand the pillars sustaining the cover. Only 16
columns support the roof of 3,100 m2. this through the use of structural systems assembled by prefabricated elements are
articulated. The importance that was given to the light through 4 skylights over the whole building, like all perimeter windows.
(http://www.caracolarquitectura.com/arquitectura/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=428&itemid=41)
Belen Park Library, Medellin – Columbia 2008
Today I went towards the southwest sector of the city to visit Biblioteca Belén. Biblioteca Belén is named after the comuna
for which it’s situated. Designed by Hiroshi Naito, Belén is the only Library Park designed by a non-Colombian Architect.
The Biblioteca is similar in the programmatic function of it’s sister libraries, having a play room for children (Ludoteca), Mi
barrio room, Adult and Children libraries ample public spaces and an Auditorium. What Belén offers it’s residence besides
these basic functions is a chance to explore a bit more about Japan and Japanese Architecture; the Biblioteca offers a room
solely dedicated towards Japanese literature and culture and the entire campus for the library park is skillfully planned to
mimic traditional Japanese Buddhist monetary design. The best attribute of the park is it’s ability to stitch the linear gap
that use to exist between the surrounding neighborhoods to the east and west; The library park is perfectly positioned to link
neighborhoods at this critical juncture along Carreras 76 and 80a. Biblioteca Belén’s park aspects can be broken down into 3
spacial zones… Park, Cloister, Plaza with each serving different roles. The Park, mimics the openness feeling of Carrera 80a
by providing a great field for lounging in the grass all while catching sounds of practicing musicians out of the Escuela de
Música and Salón de Ensayo (rehersal room). The Plaza, mimicing the density of Carrera 76, serves as a more intimate
setting for outdoor performances with it’s plaza and stepped plinths against the Teatro. The Cloister, rotating around the
tranquility of a motionless water pond are the main service buildings of the library. The use of the largest programmed
buildings to surround the pond creates a visual and auditory break that allows one to shed a sense of the outside world and
relax into the peaceful world of reading. (http://medellin2009.wordpress.com/2009/09/30/dia-29/)
Ben Nakamura and Associates, Inc., Tokyo – Japan
http://www.iceice,com
Achi Village Library – Renovation, Extension, Achi-mura, Nagano Prefecture – Japan 2004
6488m2 (357m2 extension to the renovation). Achi Village Library - Renovation extension
Three-story community center of RC, 3-storey building community structure
Central facility of the four villages Achi (building office, building community health centers, community centers center) connected by
a corridor pergola, and at the same time integrating the facilities of the pieces, the library generous to repair a large first floor of a
central community center planning and service. Renovating the first floor of the Central Public Hall , and expansion in the steel in
the west plaza, which developed a library that is integrated with generous square. The square and the west parking lot at the time of
the event, planting, and improve the exterior. (Nakamura)
NASCA Co., Ltd., Tokyo – Japan
Nobuaki Furuya, Sachiko Yagi
http://www.studio-nasca.com
Libraries:
Obuse Library Architosho Terrasow, Obuse, Nagano Prefecture – Japan 2009
Architect: Nobuaki Furuya+NASCA, Site area 10,511.44 m2, Area 998.53 m2
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