Library Buildings around the World

meters of book position. The wooden cladding (western red cedar) reflects the adjacent set of wooden farmhouses and barns to
Hoofdvaart. The large "window" glass block that night serves as a lantern, makes the book store a logo at the junction of the Avenue
and Goedhart Hoofdvaart. The office wing has a relatively open south elevation with strip windows and blinds. The north facade,
designed as a wall with holes, forms a neutral backdrop for an old farmhouse. Internal logistics: The access structure and
substructure of the office wing builds on the design of the educational wing of The Hague University. An extra wide corridor zone
(3.6 meters) offers space for the column-side surgeries, copy and print rooms. On the wall built from prefabricated components
bearing side stitch stairs offer short diagonal connections between the floors. A skylight over the entire length of the building means
that all steps "to daylight" walking. The transparent triangular connecting link between the office wing rectangular and round drum
book contains the atrium with canteen and serves as formal and informal meeting space for staff and visitors. At the end of the
building is a training center that included the evening is used in conjunction with the atrium. (Atelier Pro)
pvanb Architects, Groningen – The Netherlands
Rijksuniverseit Groningen EBR-Bibliotheek (Economie, Bedrijfskunde, Ruimtelijke), Groningen – The
Netherlands 2008
The pvanb extension to the EBR Library subtly illuminates the programme as a present-day glass cornice, and forcefully
complements the context of existing and new construction. In splendid fashion, the Library reflects its relationship with the
surroundings as well as presenting an evident coherence between interior and exterior. Close co-operation between the client,
architect and façade constructor has resulted in an exceptionally unconventional glass façade. The extension forms the second storey
of a radical renovation of the WSN Building in which, in the first phase, the three lowest storeys on the north side are renovated and
extended. The ground floor and the first floor are transparent, and provide space for a new – although previously designed – (study)
plaza, while the second storey, with modern leaded glass, accommodates the Library. Although the new volume manifests itself as a
single unit, the extension to the Library is situated between the plaza and the WSN Building, a fact that literally created a split
assignment. The Library had to form an independent, present-day extension to the existing building but also dovetail with the plaza.
In addition, the Library assignment required clear spatial organization and a tranquil working ambience.
Programmatic task
The WSN-building at the Zernike Terrain is radically renewed. It is the EBR library, a new (trial) and plaza to create more study
space a new building on the existing volume added. The new building takes place in two phases. In the first phase, through the lower
two floors of the existing building back on the north side achieved a new volume, the lower part is reserved for the plaza and was
designed by an interior office. The floor above is for a portion of the library collection.
Architectural challenge
The architectural challenge of the first phase is conceived as a multifaceted challenge. First, it was important to create a design to get
an independent, unique and contemporary addition to the existing building would form, while responding to already designed the
glass front of the plaza. The most important was a clear spatial and logical library to realize that in terms of design, color and
materialisation with facade would form a unit.
Inspiration and concept
The overall concept of facade and interior is inspired by the typical Dutch skies. Who derive their special character and dramatic
contrast and alternation between different degrees of transparency and secrecy, and the richness of hues. This concept proved to be
supporting both for bringing unity and coherence in the design of interior and exterior as to create a unique and contemporary look
that still matches the existing building.
Facade
The facade of the library is conceived as an abstraction of the Dutch clouds. The facade is made of glass, different degrees of
transparency. There is clear, tinted, figured and colored glass. It is completely transparent glass rimmed with pronounced, more
angular aluminum frames in several colors. This gives the function of this glass windows in the form of abstracted clouds. The
aluminum frames are the rest of the wall used to the monotony of styles to break if the separation between different types of glass to
emphasize. The styles of the steps of the plaza were drawn by the library facade. This provides balance and consistency in the overall
façade. The library is recognized as a separate feature, but is also part of the building as a whole.
Interior
The interior is the concept of the cloud used to plan the layout in a fun way to strengthen and emphasize. The layout itself is clear
and logical, an open space where the bookcases are central and various other functions are grouped around it, or not separated by
glass walls. The bookshelves themselves are positioned so that they collectively form a cloud in the open space. This is underlined by
the carpeting, which in its colors and form a cloudy sky and thus represents a simple way both the routing and layout indicates. In
the light, this layout also found, over the study areas and functional fluorescent lights above the bookcases lines of light that together
form another cloud.
Second phase
In the next phase will be an additional floor to the library building are linked by means of an airlift. This building can be
experienced as a pavilion on the water, but actually provides shelter to a lecture, additional library space and offices. Air bridge and
pavilion as a whole and have designed the shape of a cloud party, from the clouds of the library facade comes. (pvanb)
Quist Wintermans Architekten BV, Rotterdam – The Netherlands
http://www.qwa.nl
Libraries:
Forum Building (Forumgebouw), Universiteit en Researchcentrum, Wageningen – The Netherlands 2002
– 2007
35.000 m²
Architectural Quist Wintermans of Rotterdam signed for the construction of the Forum, a mission of Wageningen University and
Research Centre (Wageningen UR). Bringing together knowledge from both teaching and research were the key principles. He also
applied to the building the identity of Wageningen as' City of Life Sciences to be strengthened. The desire for education and research
together is reflected in the ten-storey building Forum, which consists of a large volume seems to exist. There is no less than seventy
percent of the educational facilities of Wageningen University housed, including about sixty classrooms, three hundred study areas,
different practical rooms and a campus restaurant for 1400. Also located in the headquarters building of the library. Striking at the
large volume of the Forum building is that it appears to be composed of small buildings. Instead of individual components are to be
sustained in separate volumes in the design as close to each imputed that there is only one connecting gap remained open. The gap,
the agora, is a series of courtyards, balconies and voids. Two bridges provide internal connections through the air. A second round
spectacular atrium void is in the library section, which allows natural light into the heart of the building. The exterior of the Forum
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