Library Buildings around the World

The MISIS campus plan reflects the innovative character of the university through smart sustainability measures including
a 45 desgree building orientation which avoids fullnorth exposure, maximum of natural light, use of local materials,
prefabricated, elemements to save on construction time and energy, future proofing through flexibility of the urban grid,
climate walls, thermal heat and cold storage, natural lighting and ventilation and rainwater storage. (Mecanoo)
‘New Icon of Iskandar Development Region, Johor - Malaysia 2007 on design
Design for a park with two 150-meter high waterfall towers, conference center, mosque, central library, amphitheatre and
Residences.
A gift to the citizens of Johor, the new pedestrian park on a former Palm tree plantation will give the public a library and a
mosque carved out of the natural topography in the surroundings of a beautiful park landscape. Iconic towers with
waterfalls symbolize the fountain that gives life to its surroundings. Buildings will nestle comfortably in their surrounding
landscape with little impact on nature. The new park is composed of rhythmic, metric patterns, an arabesque, that is centred
around the symbols and motifs of Islam, with radiating geometric patterns throughout the landscape, on walkways and
inside and outside of buildings.
Circulation patterns:
The hexagonal landscape pattern faces the holy city of Mecca with two perimeter roads that provide access to the park. The
commercial buildings are located in this transitional area leading into the park; from natural topography to urban
landscape. Placing the buildings in the transition zone keeps their impact on the park low, and creates circulation patterns
throughout the park with plazas that link to the geometry of the park design.
Fountain of life:
Water; one of the most symbolic and important element of Islam, providing ablution and representing the infinite is featured
throughout the park. Hexagonal water ponds collect rainwater and irrigate the park while flowing into a natural lake
creating a graceful transition in the sloping landscape. The waters´ source is sprung from the two iconic building towers at
the top of the park´s slope, a fountain of life from their waterfalls.
Terrace slopes:
The lanscape features only local vegetation ringed concentrically. The first ring of vegetation creates a mysterious gateway
to the park with a border of the plantation´s original palm trees. Tea plantings comprise the next ring of vegetation on
steeply sloped and inaccessible areas of the park. The Tea plants create and accentuate the rhythm of the terraced slopes and
provide a contemplative landscape. Recreation grass meadows and sculptural flowers are in the park´s centre where the
earth is level. This makes it suitable for friends and families to come together and enjoy picnics and play or relax or attend
public events. Ficus trees with their large twisting roots create natural sculptures and the indigenous flowers are of the most
vibrant and beautiful.
Iconic towers:
The park´s fountain is formed by two iconic towers that project out of the montain overlooking the park. A waterfall flows
into the park´s water ponds providing rhythm and sound. The towers are symbols of life and balance, with cantileverd
plates thar allow the water fall from the tower tops. The building´s skin is glazed with differing translucencies giving the
appearence of water itself. The water not only refelcts an important Islamic symbolism, but also provides natural cooling
and water collection. During special occasions, the waterfall can begin its flow from the towers´tops. At the buildings´base
are the cultural and congress centre with offices above.
Mosque of light:
The dome shapes of the mosque surface like air from a turbulent water, providing bubbles of peace and contemplation. The
dome´s ceiling is cut through with hexagonal arabesque perforations allowing in natural light. These patterns echo those
experienced throughout the park and constitute an infinite pattern that extends beyond the visible material world. In the
mosque´s interior is amihrab indicating the qibla bathed in natural light.
Library and open air amphitheatre:
The ampitheatre is cut out of a slope, taking advantage of the natural topography. The steps leading to the library serve not
only as an entrance, but also as seating for the open air amphitheatre. In this way, the amphitheatre is never a lonely space,
instead, it is vibrant with visitors and readers. The library lays under grass and is nazurally cooled. Skylights punched in the
celling allow natural light to permeate throughout. (Mecanoo)
Wei-Wu-Ying Center for the Arts (Library), Kaohsiung - Taiwan 2010 – 2013
Awards:
2008, 1st prize Cityscape Architectural Award Cityscape Dubai
2009, 3rd prize International Design AwardIDA Los Angelesurban planning
2009, Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Award
2009, Chicago Athenaeum Europe
Programme:
Theatre complex of 141,000 m2 in the Wei-Wu-Ying Metropolitan Park with a total capacity of 5,900 seats: Concert Hall
2000 seats, Opera House 2250 seats, Playhouse 1250 seats, Recital Hall 500 seats, public library of 800 m2, rehearsal /
education halls for music and dance, 2 congress halls with 100 and 200 chairs and stage building workshops.
Face:
Kaohsiung is one of the world’s larges sea harbours with five million people living in the region. A high speed train line
connects the city with Taiwan’s capital, Taipei. The harbour city of Kaohsiung wants to change into a multifaceted city with
a state-of-the-art service industry and a rich cultural life. As a result, a new metro system is to come online in 2009 and in
the Wei-Wu-Ying Metropolitan Park, a former military compound of 65 ha., a grand complex for concerts, opera and
theatre is being realised. The programme consists of a concert hall with 2000 seats, an opera house with 2250 seats, a theatre
hall with 1250 seats and a Recital Hall with 500 seats. An international competition was organised for the design of the park
and the performing arts center. There is hardly any misunderstanding with regard to the ambitions of this project; the park
and the arts complex must, with one gesture, give Kaohsiung another face. An international jury chose the design of
Mecanoo because of its great imagination, one-ness of the arts center with the park, modern theatre techniques and
incorporation of the subtropical climate.
Banyan:
The large park and performing arts center merge with one another. The centuries old Banyan trees in the area formed a
source of inspiration for the design. Its crown can grow so wiede that according to legend, Alexander the Great could so
wide that according to legend, Alexander the Great could take shelter with his entire army under this tree. Mecanoo´s
building at 225 metres by 160 metres resembles the crown of a Banyan. Banyan Plaza and sheltered public space in between
halls creates a porous space wherein interior and exterior blur. In the subtropical climate, grasses and plantings on the roof
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