Library Buildings around the World

living learning opportunity,” said Julie Newman, director of the Office of Sustainability. “It lets us creatively tap into innovative
technologies.” Named for philanthropist Richard Kroon ’64, th
e building will provide office space for about 75 faculty and staff. It will also feature classrooms, a 175-seat auditorium, an
environmental center and a cafe, among other facilities. Kellert explained to his audience yesterday that there were difficulties in
initially securing the site for project development. “The University resisted tooth and nail decommissioning this power plant,” he
said. In addition, fundraising has not been as successful as planners hoped, as the project is still $10 million short of reaching its goal
even after projected costs were cut down. But the University now supports the project, he said, and is working with the
environmental school to make the vision a reality. “Any building is only a shadow of its aspirations,” Kellert said. “You have these
high ideals but … translated to brick and mortar it’s an entirely different thing.”
(http://www.yaledailynews.com)
Eva Jiricna Architects, London – UK
E.J. Architects is affiliated with A.I.Design Prague – http://www.aidesign.cz
http://www.ejal.com
Libraries:
De Montfort University, Kimberlin Library Extension, Leicester – UK 1997
The main body of the 4.000 sqm is open plan study space divided over four floors, linked to the existing building via a new centrally
sited core. The design attempts to provide a clean, flexible space in terms of layout and to re-define external public spaces within the
Library precinct. A high degree of transparency gives a light airy environment for computer facilities and general circulation, whilst
solar gain is controlled by external shading. A fabric canopy structure identifies the entrance and provides protection. (Jiricna)
Awards:
40 th Anniverary Civic Trust Award, Worthy Contribution 2000
see also:
Tomas Bata University, Library Building, Zlin – Czech Republic 2008
This recently completed scheme is very much a signature project for Eva since it is in her birthplace and also the site of
an extraordinary architectural and social concept realised by the shoe manufacturer and altruist, Thomas Bata, between
the two World Wars. The Library, until now situated in old warehouse, forms part of a new development plan, together
with a multi-purpose auditorium financed by the City of Zlin. The two buildings share a somewhat symbiotic
relationship, education and culture going hand in hand, uniting once more the joint activities which suffered an
unfortunate decline during the Communist era. The Library building consists of two distinct volumes with 500 study
spaces for students, and offices for the Rector and University administration, these being connected by a relaxation area as
a meeting place. The building was built on a relatively low budget and uses an energy system complemented by efficient
shading and is clad in ceramic tiles. (Jiricna)
KSS Group, London – UK
http://www.kssgroup.com
Libraries:
Luton Six Form College (Library), Luton – on construction - 2011
£ 34.000.000, 16.870 m²
GDM Partnership Ltd are undertaking the building services design of a new 17,000m² academic building for Luton Sixth Form
College, which opened in 1966 as the first sixth form college in the country. GDM have been appointed alongside architects KSS
Design Group on the project, supported by the Learning Skills Council. The 22-acre College site, a mile to the north of Luton town
centre, will be comprehensively redeveloped, and all of the existing buildings will be replaced. The development will be of a low-rise
nature, to respect the surrounding residential area. General teaching areas will be in four separate wings. The wings are designed as
cul-de-sacs, creating quiet learning environments for distinct learning communities. A further two wings will provide academic
accommodation for the performing arts and sports departments, with a 180-person lecture theatre/performance hall and 6-court
sports hall. An atrium will wrap around a central three-storey hub, which will provide all of the College’s administrative and student
support functions. At the first floor level, the wings and hub will be accessed by bridges across the atrium. The atrium will be
covered with an ETFE inflated pillow roof, with ‘fritting’ screen-printing to mitigate extremes of solar gain whilst ensuring a light
and airy environment. A main refectory area, with 700 covers for staff and student use, will provide dining and recreational space.
This will open onto an outside terrace and external amphitheatre, which will offer further seating and gathering options. A large
learning resource centre, with a double height glazed wall, will overlook extensive, high quality sports pitches, including one with an
all-weather surface. The building will adopt a low energy ‘TermoDeck’ thermal mass ventilation system and heat exchange recovery
system, with a high performance envelope. The development will incorporate a ground source heat pump system as an on-site
renewable energy source, fed via bore holes beneath the sports playing fields. The college will also implement a rainwater harvesting
system, including a surface water retention area imaginatively designed to incorporate attractive water features at the front of the
new building. The development will be procured under a two-stage Design and Construct contract. Construction will commence on
site later this year and will be completed in time for the opening at the start of the 2010/2011 academic year.
( http://www.gdmpartnership.com )
North West Kent College, Gravesend – UK 2009
£ 19.300.000, 9.500 m²
At Gravesend, our proposal replaces some of the existing campus adjacent to the main entrance with 6.000 m² mixed use teaching
accommodation, with learning resources unit and information technology suite, linked to a new 3.500 m² reception also housing a
new refectory, gymnasium and administration offices. (KSSGroup)
South East Essex College, Southend-On-Sea – UK 2005
£ 83.200.000, 26.125 m²
The newly opened 26,100 m² campus for South East Essex College features inspirational teaching spaces, a soaring ETFE-clad
atrium, a distinctive red pod and organic-shaped dining decks. And for the first time, the Learning and Skills Council increased
funding for a building based on estimated in-use energy savings. The state-of-the-art Southend Campus replaces two former sites for
the college. The overall form of the building was inspired by the human body. The Pod performance space, with its dramatic red
exterior, is envisaged as the lungs of the building, while the learning spaces and escape stairs resemble a spinal column in plan - the
services run through this spinal column literally like a nervous system. ( http:www.worldarchitecturenews.com )
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