Library Buildings around the World

Bibliotheek en Appartementen, Beursplein, Hengelo – The Netherlands 2007
Urban ensemble in the city of Hengelo, a car park, information plaza, commercial spaces, library, offices and apartments. The
apartment tower marks two major routes. Building a high atrium brings daylight deep into the building where the routing and
construction of the library is clearly present. (Mas)
Kulturhûs de Bijenkorf, Borne – The Netherlands 1998 – 2000
This cultural center housed several amenities. Besides a multipurpose hall (250 persons) contains the complex includes a music
school, a library, youth center Blizzbee, various welfare functions and the local radio and television station Borgh Ende. Underneath
the building is a parking garage for approximately 150 cars. Of the existing buildings at this location is the former rectory and
maintained in the new styling. (Mas)
Mecanoo architecten, Delft – The Netherlands
http://www.mecanoo.com
Libraries:
Amsterdam University College (Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) en die Vrije Universiteit
(Library), Amsterdam 2010 – 2012
Cross fertilization of ideas and talent:
Science Park Amsterdam, the international knowledge centre in the Watergraafsmeer neighbourhood is the new home for the
Liberal Arts and Sciences program at the Amsterdam University College. Science Park is located in the eastern part of the city, close
Amsterdam’s historic seventeenth-century city centre. In 2012, 900 international students will enter the new school. Surrounded by
other science buildings, the Science Park provides an interesting environment for the AUC with optimal opportunities for cross
fertilization of ideas and talent. The park has an urban character in which buildings, landscape and public space are strongly
intertwined. Science Park encompasses a program of 500.000 m² in Total including office buildings, laboratories and educational
facilities, hotel, conference facilities, sports and cultural programs, restaurants and housing.
Roof sculpture:
The new AUC will be located next to the Anna Hoeve, a historic farmhouse, which is surrounded by mature trees. Together, they
form the new entrance to the Science Park, which is accessible from both the city and the new train station. Mecanoo designed an
inviting sculptural building that matches the design language and materialization of the Anna Hoeve, creating contrasts with the
more business like architecture of the Science Park. The building´s characteristic zigzagging roof creates a strong sense of identity
for the Amsterdam University College. The faculty offers an optimal environment to study in. Daylight enters deep into the building
from an attic where the more contained, quiet study areas and library are housed. The AUC is aninspring and sustainable building
for the students and their teachers. It is a place where one can study, learn, debate, work together and relax; a house where talent,
ideas and ambitions come together.
Sustainability:
The AUC is a sustainable building. The Greencalc + score is set at a building index of 200. The compact building mass creates an
optimal ratio between wall and floor surface and the relationship between open and closed surface in the facade is optimized. The
building uses thermal storage and concrete thermal massing. The large roof area has moss cover that provides insulation and water
storage. Sensors which detect movement and daylight monitors are also applied throughout the new building. (Mecanoo)
Culturael Centrum Canadaplein en Theater de Vest, Alkmaar – The Netherlands 1999 – 2000
Mitarbeiter: Anne Busker, Aart Fransen, Toon de Wilde, Alfa Hügelmann, Robin Kerssens, Vanessa Wegner, Rogier Laterveer,
Hank ´t Wout, Jeroen Luyckx, Jasper Kaarsemaker, Pieter Spoelstra, Christian Quesada van Beresteijn, Gareth Williams
Projektleiter: Michel Tombal, Henk Döll, Bauherr: Stadt Alkmaar, Objekt: Theater de Vest, Alkmaar, Planung: 1998-1999
Projektdaten Nutzfläche (renoviert) NF: 4175 qm Brutto-Rauminhalt (renoviert BRI: 15840 cbm, Baufertigstellung: 2000
Transitions
The Canadaplein in Alkmaar borders the public space surrounding the Grote Sint Laurenskerk (Great Saint Lawrence Church).
Initially, the three walls gave the square a closed character. With the construction of the new Cultural Centre, featuring a museum, a
library and a music school and with the extensive renovation of the Theatre de Vest, a restaurant and a grand café, the area has been
transformed into a lively cultural square. The design brief was defined as the creation of transitions, from public to private and from
open to closed. The cultural facilities must be easily accessible and inviting to visitors without compromising the building’s function.
The open square transforms in several stages, leading into the enclosed atmosphere necessary for music practice, reading, visiting
the theatre or an exhibition.
Roof lights
An existing building from the 1970s had to be incorporated into the new Canadaplein Cultural Centre. The naked concrete facade of
this building has been clad in wooden shutters that become a continuation of the new facade. The museum has an entrance hall on
the square. Roof lights and an atrium bring daylight and penetrating views through the building even into the basement. A five
meter high storey provides space for the city´s finest 16 th and 17 th Century Guild paintings. The music school has its own three-storey
entrancce on the square. Music practice takes place in internal chambers or in rooms on the north side. Acoustics are controlled by
keeping the windows closed. The entrance to the library is located on a side street. On the side of the square, the facade openings
reach to ground level, giving the impression that and library merge.
Theatrical:
The Theatre de Vest was built in the 1970s and festures visible framework and an interor with many corners and slanting walls.
Financial and environmental considerations prevented the building´s demolition and replacement. Through a new high glass facade
on the square and an equally high copper wall, the foyer is imbued with a theatrical appearance. Behind the curved copper wall are
the box office, cloakroom and the main auditorium. The small auditorium has been enlarged. A stately staircase leads to the upper
foyer providing a view of the Grote Sint Laurenskerk. Behind a heavy brick framework, the restaurant, grand café and the theatre
feature operable glass wallls that create a connection with the terrace and the square. The restaurant´s eye-catcher is a fourteenmetre
long concrete bar. (Mecanoo)
Das Kulturzentrum besteht aus drei Bereichen: historisches Museum, Zentralbibliothek und Musikschule. Mecanoo fassten alle drei
Bereiche in einem Block zusammen, der zudem einen Altbau integriert - heute überwiegend als Bibliothek genutzt. Das
Kulturzentrum ist vom Theater nur durch eine schmale Gasse getrennt, die als Durchgang und optische Verlängerung der
Fußgängerzone dient. Eine gläserne Brücke verbindet die Gebäude und markiert zugleich den Übergang zwischen Altstadt und
Grachtenring. Die gläserne Front des Anbaus weist - voller Respekt - auf den imposanten Turm der St. Laurenskirche.
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