Library Buildings around the World

Begründung des Preisgerichtes. Im Sommer 2006 hatte die Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG einen eingeladenen Wettbewerb
für ein Kultur- und Kongresszentrum ausgelobt. 13 Architekturbüros aus dem In- und Ausland hatten sich an diesem
Einladungswettbewerb beteiligt. Das künftige Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Würth wird aus einer Veranstaltungshalle als
Kernelement, einem Kammer- und Konzertsaal sowie einem Kongress- und Seminarzentrum bestehen. Zusätzlich sind ein
Museum mit angegliedertem Skulpturengarten und eine Bibliothek geplant. Das neue Zentrum wird nicht nur dem
Künzelsauer Unternehmen für interne Veranstaltungen dienen, sondern auch der Stadt Künzelsau und ihrer Bevölkerung
für Veranstaltungen sowie kulturelle und gesellschaftliche Events offen stehen. „Als überregionale Einrichtung soll das
Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Würth die Bedeutung der Region Künzelsau und des Hohenloher Raumes als
Veranstaltungsort stärken“, so Prof. Dr. h. c. Reinhold Würth, Vorsitzender des Stiftungsaufsichtsrates der Würth-Gruppe
und Mitglied des Preisgerichtes. (http://www.wuerth.de).
Museum Folkwang, Bibliothek, Essen – Germany 2010
170 m² Lesesaal, Studienraum / 210 m² Depot-Kompaktusanlage Kosten Bestandteil Neubau Museum Folkwang
Literature:
Langshausen, Birgit, Eine Bereicherung für die Kulturhauptstadt. Die neue Bibliothek des Museums Folkwang in Essen /
50.000 Medien zu Kunst, Fotografie und Plakat, in: BuB, Forum Bibliothek und Information, Jg. 62,2010,9, pp. 633-635
Des Moines Public Library, Des Moines, Iowa – USA 2001 - 2006
Location: Des Moines, Iowa, USA, Completion Date: 2006, Client: Des Moines Public Library, Gross Floor Area:
145,528 sqft (13,520 m2)
The library forms an integral part of the new Des Moines 'Western Gateway Park'. This area of the city is currently
undergoing extensive redevelopment and the new library and park will become a centrepiece for the urban renewal of Des
Moines.
Located at the east end of the park, the new library acts as a link between downtown Des Moines and the park. On the one
hand, it responds to the city block, but at the same time it stretches out into the parkland, floating in the surrounding
landscape, thus creating outside spaces of different character while conveying to the visitor the feeling of sitting in the park
while reading a book.
The 'Gateway Gallery', a flexible activity space, forms part of a public route through the building, reinforcing its bridging
character between the park and the city and blending the threshold between library and park. Administration and back of
house services are housed in the east wing. The stacks are arranged in such a way that one will always be able to see into the
park, creating a sense of openness and transparency. In addition to book stacks, the library also accommodates education
facilities, children's play areas and a conference wing with a cafe, reinforcing the public nature of the building and providing
a platform for public life.
The two storey concrete structure sits above an underground car park and is entirely wrapped in a composite energy
efficient glass-metal skin. Laminated between two glass surfaces, a layer of expanded copper mesh reduces glare and solar
gain, thus greatly reducing long-term energy costs. The mesh is the only sun-shading device necessary, ensuring that the
view from the inside into the park is maintained at all times. Slight variations in the make up of the panels provide the
library with a differentiated yet uniform skin, emphasizing the organic shape of the building.
Tangible Measures for a Sustanable Design:
Glass façade with integrated metal mesh
The façade consists of triple glazing units with an integrated metal mesh. The three-dimensional quality of the mesh allows
for good views out of the building but reduces the solar gain through the façade by 80%, thus significantly reducing the
building's cooling load.
Green Roof
The green roof both improves the visual and the physical environmental impact of the building.
- For views from the surrounding buildings it gives a sense of a visual continuation of the surrounding park
- The roof helps retain rainwater and thus minimises the impact of the large roof on the sewer system.
- The green roof increases the building's mass and therefore mitigates peaks in temperature resulting in a reduced heating
and cooling load.
Exposed Concrete Soffits
All suspended ceilings have been omitted exposing the concrete soffit of the floor slabs. As the slabs are exposed, their
building mass can be activated to reduce the building's cooling load.
Daylight
The elaborate building shape helps connecting the inside and outside and maximises the use of natural daylight. Integrating
mesh in the full-height glazing furthered the effectiveness of the daylight. The mesh mitigates the sometimes harsh qualities
of daylight thus minimising the use of artificial light to avoid contrast and helping to illuminate the depth of the space.
The cumulative effect of these measures have lead to an excellent energy rating with the local energy supplier and given the
library a significant cost rebate in addition to annual savings on their energy bill. (http://www.archinnovations.com)
Jonathan Clark Architects, London – UK
http://www.jonathanclark.co.uk
Longford School 2, Feltham, London – UK 2009
Awards:
RIBA London Awards 2010 Winner
WAN Education Awards 2010 Finalist
“I've worked with many architects over the years but Jonathan’s ability to listen to our needs and turn them into crazy yet buildable
designs is fantastic. He has created buildings and environments which captivate the minds of our staff and students. The vision lead
by our Head Teacher of delivering 21st century teaching environments has been turned into reality by Jonathan’s designs. It is a
pleasure working with him.” Robert Glass, Projects Director, Longford Community School
This is a two storey extension and partial conversion of an existing two-storey 1960s constructed building at Longford Community
School. A total area of 750sq.m (a 200 sq.m extension and 550sq.m conversion of existing) houses two new classrooms and a Fitness
Centre at ground level with a new Library/learning Centre at first floor. The challenge here was how to successfully extend a nasty
looking teaching block. We chose to build a vibrant colourful structure that straddles the end of the block almost as a kind of
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