Library Buildings around the World

Espinet Ubach Architectes, Barcelona – Spain
Miquel Espinet i Mestre, Antoni Ubacg i Nuet
http://www.espinet-ubach.com
Libraries:
La Biblioteca i Hemeroteca de la Facultat de Ciències de la Comunicació de la UAB (Universitat
Autònoma de Barcelona) Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona – Spain 1997 – 2002
(General and Periodicals Library of the UBA)
Literature:
Tot l’àlbum amb més biblioteques de la UAB a: http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgil/sets/72157603589069231/
Biblioteca y Hemeroteca, Bellaterra, Barcelona 1997-2002″. En: Espinet/Ubach: treina años = thirty years. Valencia: Pencil, DL
2009 (Monográficos Arquitectura ISBN 978-84-935145-9-4, p. 264-277
Arquitecture Viva 46
Biblioteca 25
Construire in Laterizio 67
NA 6
On 247
A la imatge, la Biblioteca de Comunicació i Hemeroteca General de la UAB, obra de l’equip d’arquitectes Espinet/Ubach (Miquel
Espinet i Mestre i Antoni Ubach i Nuet), construïda entre 1997 i 2002. Està situada a l’extrem sud del Campus de Bellaterra, a tocar
d’una massa boscosa molt frondosa. El mateix edifici serveix per a salvar el desnivell entre la Plaça Cívica, on es troba l’accés
principal, i el bosc. A la façana principal hi trobem una gran àrea vidriada. L’edifici té 5 plantes: les 3 primeres estan orientades a la
Plaça, mentre que les 2 superiors ho fan en direcció al bosc posterior. (http://www.bauenblog.info)
The campus of the Autonomous University of Barcelona is built over the Can Magrans watercourse. The differences in level of the
valley´s singular topography are made up by a series of hypostyle structures that underpin the Plaça Civica, which rises above the
watercourse and rests on the colonnade. On the western side, where the library stands, a retaining wall and a ditch channel
movement between the Plaça Civica and the spelendid pine trees above. These various elements form a unique setting among
Catalan universities as a whole, with buildings and nature existing side by side in exemplary harmony. The ground floor of the
building accupies the same level as the Plaça Civica. In addition to entrances, control, information and student services, it contains a
multipurpose hall. The first level is given over to library management services, and the other three are accupied by the actual
libraries. The upper floor, on the same level as the pine trees, is a construction that opens up to the woods, since the building inverts
its façade depending on the level. The solid wall facing the openings serves to store books. The lower floors as far as the Plaça Civica,
conversely, overlook this plaza and use the blind wall to house all the book stacks. In terms of spatial layout, this façade faces north,
the most suitable direction for a library. The building, then, is turned around to give meaning to its points of reference: The Plaça
Civica to one side, and the small wood and landscaped plaza to the other. (Espinet)
La Biblioteca Pública Can Peixauet, Santa Coloma de Gramanet – Spain 2001
Literature:
“Biblioteca Can Peixauet: Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona 1998-2001″. En: Espinet/Ubach: treina años = thirty years.
Valencia: Pencil, DL 2009 (Monográficos Arquitectura ISBN 978-84-935145-9-4, p. 226-239
Obra realitzada per l’equip d’arquitectes Espinet/Ubach (format per Miquel Espinet i Mestre i Antoni Ubach i Nuet) entre 1998 i
2001, la Biblioteca de Can Peixauet està ubicada a l’antiga masia del mateix nom, situada a Santa Coloma de Gramenet. Està ja
documentada el segle XII (l’estat actual, però, és fruit de les reformes efectuades durant el segle XVII i la primera dècada del XIX).
El nou edifici està totalment reformat, tot i que s’hi han conservat alguns elements característics, com ara la torre central que corona
l’edifici. La Biblioteca i el seu programa funcional, però, es desenvolupen en el subsòl, ocupant la plaça de nova construcció adjacent
a la Biblioteca… mentre que l’edifici es configura com un accés a l’equipament. En aquest sentit, un dels elements més característics
de la Biblioteca són les tres claraboies que sobresurten de l’estructura de la plaça, i que serveixen per a canalitzar i abocar la llum a
l’interior de l’equipament. (http://www.bauewnblog.info)
Exit Architects, Madrid – Spain
http://exit-architects.com
Libraries:
Cultural Civic Center, Palencia – Spain 2011
Rehabilitation of former prison of Palencia As Cultural Civic Center
The former Palencia Provincial Prison complex was created at the end of the XIX century, built with brick bearing walls following
the “neomudéjar” style, and composed mainly of four two-storey wings and some other with one storey. On this building was
planned a comprehensive refurbishment to transform the former use and convert it into a center that promotes the social and
cultural activity in this part of the town.
Our proposal intends to convert the former prison into a meeting place, recovering some of the old spaces, and creating at the same
time new structures that make possible the new planned activities. It is a project that respects the existing building, which is given a
contemporary, lighter appearance, and where the natural light will play a key role.
With this aim the main two-storey wings have been refurbished, emptying their interior and placing a new independent structure to
bear the new floors and roofs. Besides, between the main wings have been built new connecting pavilions, which form the new
complex perimeter and give it a modern and friendly aspect.
To introduce the light in the building we had to remove the old covered with tiles which were in very poor condition, and have been
replaced by others of zinc that open large skylights which introduce light into the open halls of the Center.
The entire building is organized around a great hall that connects the 4 pavilions of the former prison. It is a diaphanous space based
only on a few mild cylindrical courtyards of glass that illuminate and provide the backbone of the stay. Due to its central location in
relation to the pavilions, this space acts as a nerve center and distributor of users, across the Pavilion access and reception, directed
towards the rest of the areas of the Centre.
The hall gives way to the lateral pavilions where the auditorium and various music and art classrooms are. On the upper floor,
under a large glass skylights, are two multi-purpose areas dedicated to more numerous groups.
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