Library Buildings around the World

Stores closed, inaccessible to the reader and delivery, are at ground level, in the open space of the Library. From the Wisłostrada
and st. Linden at all levels of the band room studio preparation and upkeep.
The idea of the meaning was, and is determined by a low budget and hence each occurrence of an element is purely technological.
The design of cast concrete and steel remains unfinished, gipskarton walls, floors and carpet tiles. All installations are on top,
showing how a technically complex procedure is to maintain a proper atmosphere in the library. Basic spatial effects are extracted
natural and artificial light.
The main problem of the project was, and is, that the idea of ideological functions and enforces the library of all the participants of
the investment process somehow growing to the problem, and that it all takes place under conditions known to us all, the Polish
transformation, the amount of time and energy used to achieve the objective has been repeatedly greater than average, and thus the
state of the start of operations in an infinite library and fully equipped building. Initiating state's legitimate discontent, but
unfortunately the creation writing at the same time focus on moving away from the provided solutions. It is a state effort to maintain
the unity of the plan. I believe that the people of the University of the case of the unity of ideas and space are able to internalize and
defend.
HS99 Architekci, Koszalin (Köslin) – Poland
http://www.hs99.pl
Libraries:
CINiBA – The Scientific Information Centre and Academic Library, Katowice - Poland 2009 – 2012
project: 2002-12 (competition, 1st prize), design team: dariusz herman, wojciech subalski, piotr smierzewski, rafal sobieraj, adam
kulesza, jacek moczala, wojciech slupczynski, Building Footprint: 2 910 m2, Total Floor Area: 10562 m2, Volume: 62 560 m3
Net Floor Area: 12 273 m2, Gross Floor Area: 13 260 m2, Maximum Volume Storage: 2 000 000 books
The Silesian University is currently housed in a complex of buildings adapted from the facilities of the former Teachers’ Training
College. This unpremeditated development did not suitably reflect the prestige of this institution which is well-renowned throughout
Poland. Thus, the design of the new library has become a catalyst for establishing a new campus redevelopment plan to be
implemented in the coming years.
Located at the intersection of the east-west axis that forms the spine of the campus, and the north-south axis which connects the
recreational grounds by the river to land set aside for further university expansion, the library reinforces the axial organization
which has so far been poorly articulated. A central university square at the foot of the library, the FORUM, generates a civic
gathering place that opens onto the library’s grand three storey atrium.
The height of the library has been determined by the average height of buildings on the university campus. The north elevation
surpassing this height is directed towards the FORUM and houses the library’s closed stacks. This elevation emphasizes the rank
and function of the FORUM and is in dialogue with the existing tall buildings which close the east-west axis.
The facades, clad in a repetitious fabric of rich kahan red sandstone, relate to the raw clay bricks on the neighbouring buildings
without the connotation of scale inherent to a singular brick element. The exterior treatment abstracts the building’s function of
organized book storing while introducing a notion of mystery inseparably connected to books.
The lack of discernible scale produces a monolith when seen from afar that is gradually familiarized. Details such as the decreasing
proportions of the façade tiling, the irregular cut of the sandstone slabs, as well as the windows carefully nested inside become
visible.
The fenestration projects a stunning patchwork of light onto the FORUM at night, yet in the daytime allows diffused light to
permeate into the library’s reading rooms. The resulting strongly introverted interior composition of the library floors focuses one’s
attention onto the books while calming the space. Partial isolation from the external world not only influences the atmosphere within
but also introduces a flow of time detached from the pulse of the surrounding city. (HS99)
JEMS Architekci, Poznań – Poland
http://www.jems.pl
Libraries:
Raczyński Library Expansion, Poznań – Poland 2012
The Raczyński Library has been a major cultural institution in Poznań since its establishment in 1829. In a competition, completed
in 2003, for the expansion of its historic seat, the first award was won by an entry from JEMS. The design almost triples the floor
area of the historic building. The underlying decision behind the design provided for placing interiors of primary importance
accessible to the general public – the information desk catalogues and reading room – on the executive first floor ( piano nobile )
level, thereby continuing main architectural arrangements of the existing building. The solution became possible owing to the
location of three levels of library storage suspended above the public zone. This also provided an opportunity to open up the groundfloor
area to the facilities associated with the library: a bookshop, gallery and cafe. After the expansion, the light, filigree, almost
transparent cast-iron colonnade of the 19 th century building will remain the main entrance facade. Multiple perspective and
uniformity of the facade is also reflected by the newly designed elevation facing Karola Marcinkowskiego Avenue, its piano nobile
level being discreetly separated from the other levels, mainly owing to its greater transparency. The effect is present mainly in a close
contact with the building. Viewed from a distance, the facade becomes much more uniform, providing a neutral background to the
historic building. (JEMS)
NeoStudio Architects, Poznań – Poland
http://www.neostudioweb.eu
Libraries:
University of Poznan, Library, Poznań – Poland 2009
Client: Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Site area: 7308 m2, Building area: 564 m2, Usable floor area: 2062 m2, Total floor
area: 2464 m2, Volume: 9970 m3, Competition design: 2005, Design: 2005-2006, Construction: 2007-2009
Polish and Classical Philology Faculty Library of Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
Architects: Jacek Bulat, Bartosz Jarosz, Joanna Kapturczak, Michal Kapturczak, Pawel Swierkowski
Interior design: Jacek Bulat, Bartosz Jarosz, Pawel Swierkowski, Katarzyna Kwiesielewicz - Broniarz
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