Library Buildings around the World

auditorium by efficiently positioning the various rooms. Since its opening, several theatre companies gave performances in the
auditorium, amid great interest of the Langedijk residents.
Flexibility:
Eighty percent of the programme is situated in universal building blocks, the islands. They have taken their direction from the
Geestmerambacht Polder and are made of robust bricks. The islands proved to very flexible, so that the specific schedules of
requirements of the various users could be fitted in easily. Any changes in the future can be implemented easily through the
application of wall systems. The users can also use each others' facilities.
fresh colour scheme and atmosphere:
The interior of De Binding is characterised by a fresh colour palette. Seven palettes were developed for the floor finishing of the
islands. Each user made a selection from these palettes. As a result, the various islands each have their own, recognizable atmosphere
within the unity of the complex. The different colour palettes are connected by a clearly identifiable line of bright purple and green
elements. These thread the colour palettes back together again, so to speak. Bright purple and green can be found, for instance, in
trophy cabinets, display cases, lockers, chairs, tables, cockpits, a consultation room and a janitor room.
Most visitors to De Binding come from the direct vicinity, and for this reason we included many facets from the neighbourhood in
the design and choice of materials, both outside and inside, and gave these a modern application. All visitors perceive the affluence of
light through the glass in the main street as a reference to greenhouse gardening, and it also helps them with their orientation. The
pupils find their way through their own side entrance and continue to the first and second floor. Walking through the main street,
the users present themselves to the other visitors through shop windows and views, similar to the Dorpsstraat in Langedijk, so that
the building always makes a lively impression. The alternation of building blocks and the transparent clearances help the visitor in
finding his bearings. With individual inscriptions in the concrete, the users are connected with the building for ever. The materials
used for the auditorium, designed as a theatre, refers to the well-known Broekerveiling Auction House, which is also partly in water.
There the main street ends with a large window offering a view of the landscape of Langedijk. This part of the main street,
functioning as a foyer, is also the place where the creativity centre exhibits its productions. The theatre, situated on the first floor,
commands wonderful views of the surrounding area, and during a performance it is really a meeting place. The materials used,
brick, smooth concrete, steel, wood, and glass, ensure that the building will retain its beauty, despite its intensive use. The various
large visuals on the walls and the two highlighted colours green and purple turn the interior into a surprising experience. (Seed)
Soeters van Eldonk Architecten, Amsterdam – The Netherlands
http://www.soetersvaneldonk.nl
Libraries:
Cultuurcluster 1 Bibliotheek, Veenendaal (Prov. Utrecht) – The Netherlands 2007
3.600 m²
In the new city centre of Veenendaal, the former Hollandia wool factory is being converted info in a culture cluster, housing the
library, the Het Kleine Veenlo museum, the historical society and the art-lending facility. The design was approached first from an
urban design perspective. Because the complex is not located along the main route, it has been linked to a new building. This new
building ensures that the main entrance is located on the new Kees Stipplein and connect to the new street structure. The old factory
chimney was retained, in the courtyard between the old building and the new edifice. Because the tower is now somewhat hidden, it
mainly works at a distance , in the Veenendaal skyline, and you only see it again once you are inside the culture cluster. The Nervilike
columns in the new building that end in the support structure for the floors are inspired by the industrial concrete structure of
the old factory. This stacking of columns and floors has been made visible from the square through the glass façade. The knitting
patterns incorporated in the outer walls refer to Veenendaal´s woll tradition. As in knitting, the brick walls feature variations in
colour and relief, creating light and dark effects. They are brick Scandinavian jumpers in cable stitch and moss stitch, as it were,
with a trim underneath that serves as a classical plinth. Weaving patterns can alos be found in the play of flat and moulded clickbands
in te façade. (Soeters)
van Tilburg Ibelings von Behr architecten, Rotterdam – The Netherlands
http://www.tibarchitecten.nl
Libraries:
Cultuurhuis Pléiade, Doorn – The Netherlands 2006
4.600 m²
The dual-function hall and cultural center, providing a basis of this building was chosen, asked for very flexible and multifunctional
use of space. There was a careful integration of these cultural and historical site in downtown Doorn near the church of great
importance. The compact building shows itself externally as a coherent whole without the smaller scale of the environment from the
sight. Inside the building a welcoming large central space that provides clarity and guidance. This space provides access to all public
functions and is also a meeting place for citizens, managers and employees. In the oval public hall is also the library. The book is up
at the back of the oval. The chamber is designed so that it can serve as a theater, cinema and conference room. A large glass wall on
the main street, residents can see the city council and the council meeting. Underneath the building is a public parking garage. The
garage provides direct access to the oval space in the heart of the building. Van Tilburg Ibelings von Behr have a long experience in
sustainable building. Sustainable architecture means that a building over a long period must retain its character and should not
respond to the fashion of the moment. This requires a careful choice of materials, with our low maintenance environmentally
preferred materials. For example, in Doorn sedum roofs applied, the drainage disconnected from the sewer system, be innovative
installation techniques, such as weather-dependent scheme, which is FSC wood. (http://www.architectenweb.nl)
The new Culture House provides accommodation for both the municipal and the library. The task required a flexible attitude of the
designers. The program and even in the course of the change process. The program has the peculiarity that the building should be
designed for two purposes, namely for some time as a town hall council chamber and offices for civil servants, then without major
alterations to function as a cultural center. In the process the communication with the population and the large number of entities in
the complex housed an important role. The dual function; hall and community center as a starting point of this building was chosen
requires a very flexible and multifunctional building that is in his space. There was a careful integration of these cultural and
historical site in downtown Doorn next to the church of great importance. The building shows itself externally as a coherent whole
without the smaller scale of the neighborhood from losing. Inside the building has a large central space that provides an overview
and orientation. (Tilburg)
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