Library Buildings around the World

The library building connects old with new part of the town using its long volume with two “heads” on both ends. In the ground
floor is organized the whole library with main multifunctional entrance hall which opens towards the plaza. Unfortunately during
the construction phase, substantial modifications were made to the project whose authorship is not longer of MX_SI architectural
studio. (MX_SI) see also: Alcolea + Tárrago http://www.alcoleatarrago.com
20th Century Collection Library, Cadima - Portugal Construction Estimated 2011
Client: Private, Budget: EUR 2,250,328.00, Area: 900 sqm, Arquitect: Mara Partida + Héctor Mendoza
This library will be specialized in art and literature of twentieth century authors. It will house the whole private clients’
collection. It could be figured either as future cultural centre and emblematic referent to the zone. The Library is presented
as an object clearly identified and inter-penetrated deeply into the landscape, in order to dialogue and be rooted to the site.
Thus, the library is designed as a singular geometric container, focusing its interior towards a main open view: an interesting
wooded garden where contemporary sculptures will be placed. The building is gently placed on ground through different
platforms. Before entering, it raises an entry plaza where a reflecting pool is located. There is also a terrace extending to the
impressive view. On the interior, the library creates its own atmosphere. It is made by concrete and, its geometry is
responsive to the careful search of introducing light by lateral courtyards and skylights. The library is entered through filter
funnel that prepares the visitor to the indoor environment, where a double height exhibition room appears. The main
reading space is completely open, but offers some options of differentiated and intimate ambits of staying. The main space
combines a double height surrounded by two stories thematic open rooms. These rooms are continuously turning towards
the central space where the book collection is always the main protagonist. As a parallel requirement, clients will have the
possibility to celebrate concerts for more than 80 people at the interior space. Concerts will take place in the main space and
the upper rooms could be used as balconies to extend the audience. All materials chosen, mainly concrete, are direct
consequence of integrating Structure, Geometry, Aesthetic Experimentation and Spatial Expression. (MX-SI)
MYCC – Oficina de Arquitectura, Madrid – Spain
Carmina Casajuana, Beatriz G. Casares, Marcos Gonzáöez
http://www.mycc.es
Libraries:
Biblioteca Frederic Alfonso i Orfila, Sentmenat – Spain 2011
El passat 11 de febrer d’enguany va tenir lloc la inauguració de la nova sala polivalent de la Biblioteca Frederic Alfonso i Orfila de
Setmenat (blog). Es tracta de la Sala Noble de la Rectoria Vella de la localitat, que s’ha rehabilitat i que a partir d’ara acollirà
l’activitat de pròpia de la Biblioteca, a banda d’altres activitats de petit format que es facin a Setmenat. Aquesta restauració forma
part d’un projecte més ampli i integral, consistent en l’adequació de tota la rectoria, del seu entorn i dels seus accessos. La Rectoria
es va reformar l’any 1999 i des de llavors acull la Biblioteca. Conserva elements gòtics com les arcades del segle XIII al XIV, així com
altres elements arquitectònics datats entre els segles XVI i XVII. Aquesta actuació ha tingut un cost total de 95.160 euros, i s’ha
beneficiat dels ajuts del Programa Específic de Biblioteques del periode 2004-2007. (http://www.archiblog.info)
Nieto Sobejano, Barcelona, Berlin-Kreuzberg – Spain
Enrique Nieto, Fuensanta Sobejano
http://www.nietosobejano.com
Barceló, Madrid – Spain 2009 – 2011
Client: Madrid city council
The new Barceló market and its surroundings area project is in fact the result of various other projects: An urban combination of
different scale and programme elements that have come together to significantly transform a dense central area of Madrid. The idea
originates from the definition of new areas that connect and link the different structures and foreseen functions of the market,
shopping centre, sports centre, public library, car parks, temporary market and outdoor areas. The built-up complex is made up of
three independent structures joined to a new public square. The Market – nucleus and heart of the whole operation- is conveyed as
being an autonomous structure, which is located at the confluence point where its different façades open out onto the calle Mejía
Lequerica and calle Beneficiencia. Its main attraction is an indoor shopping arcade with contrasting vertical symmetry inspired by
large urban shopping centres from the past, that concentrate the complex’s vertical and horizontal traffic. The sports pavilion rises
up over the market. Its roof is actually a large elevated square from which the roof tops of Madrid can be made out. The new public
library overlooks the school playground built right beside to become part of an urban complex. Its materials and structure are the
same as those of the market and sports centre. The geometric and physical appearance of the different buildings and their façades
confirm that – despite their different functions – the new buildings belong to the same time period and place. A façade made up of
large pieces of moulded glass, -white and opaline- unifies the new public buildings style -market, sports centre, library- to illuminate
and unify the whole complex. The style of the public areas in the plazas de Alonso Martínez and Barceló, as well as that of the
neighbouring streets, their mutual paving and street furniture, transmit the feeling of the past radical subtle change that has taken
place in the neighbourhood. Like an escalated version of civic life, where places to live, study, teach, go shopping, have fun, do sport,
read, go for a walk or relax have a common setting, the new buildings and outdoor areas come together in an surprise puzzle in
which every single different piece only makes sense when they are all put other in their exact precise place. The building of the
temporary market that will be used when the construction work of the new buildings is in progress, is intended to be an urban
facility which can be recycled and that conveys the inspired ability of a temporary operation to change with its environment. As it
has to house the numerous outlets that have to be maintained, the building is divided up into six pentagonal shaped floor areas, that
are set at different heights and have different lay outs, thus preventing it being out of proportion with regard to the surrounding
buildings. A linear double height structure along la calle Beneficiencia will be used for the handling areas, warehouses, cold storage
rooms and installations. One of this building’s fundamental features is its exterior facade made of glazed polycarbonate that covers
the polygonal cylinders to let natural light filter through during the day and which become huge lanterns lighting up the square in
the evening. Once the construction work has been completed, these cylinders will be taken down and could be used somewhere else in
the city, so that the new Barceló square, whose paving, landscaping and street furniture blends in with the surroundings, will round
off the change made to this historical areas of Madrid. (http://www.dezeen.com)
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