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The World’s Most Beautiful Libraries “Without libraries what have we? We have no past and no future.” -Ray Bradbury For centuries, books have housed the collective knowledge of the world and formed the foundations of educational institutions. Given that these objects contain such value, it only makes sense that throughout history people have constructed beautiful buildings to house them.
From Stuttgart, Germany to Iwaki City, Japan, we take a look at 15 of the most extraordinarily-designed libraries.
@Joe_Mazza Might be helpful. A collection of beautiful learning spaces by @jennzia & I. It includes some libraries http://t.co/6KxTo0o6i0
Japan’s Seikei University has ingeniously designed isolation spheres which can be used for meetings or for group work.
Via Trudy Raymakers
By Emily Temple: ...check out 11 of the most beautiful museum libraries from around the world
by Stephanie Bonjack Here’s my theory: the proliferation of "shoppes" and "towne centers" may have satisfied a need (or collective desire) for designer sunglasses, fusion restaurants, and relaxing places to drink coffee, but commercial spaces will never satisfy all of the needs that a library can address. A great library has the potential to serve as a community hub, where resources and services intersect with work, learning, and culture. A space designed to facilitate such interactions while making the patron feel something – inspired, creative, curious – cannot be replicated commercially. Image: Jose Vasconcelos Library
Via Miguel Mimoso Correia
Libraries are increasingly the places in which culture is produced, collected and disseminated. The Ambient Exchange designed by Synthetiques & minus Architecture studio {MAS} promotes a culture of collaboration, creative inquiry and community engagement through provision of functional and exuberant spaces that engage the strong social and craft-oriented traditions of the Finnish built environment.
The architects of studio Helen & Ward (founded by Siv Helen Stangeland and Reinhard Kropf) have designed a library in Vennesla, Norway, according to principles of relational design. "[...] architects of Helen & Ward, who designed a multifunctional library in Vennesla, whose interiors resemble the belly of an enormous wooden whale. The new library incorporates a cafè, meeting places, an administrative area and connects a learning center to a pre-existing community house according to principles of relational design. A large glass façade, an external loggia which dialogues with the urban environment and an internal passage make the center a place that is open to the public, easily accessible and hospitable. The project is supported by a veritable skeleton composed of 27 "ribs", hybrid elements that fuse structure, infrastructure, furniture and interiors in a single architectural element. Each "rib" is an acoustic-absorbent multilayered and multifunctional panel, from which the air ducts and columns pass. The modules serve also as niches, lighting covers and tables. An idea that won the library a class A standing for its low energy consumption according to Norvegian standards."
Via KrisPaterson, nickcarman
Introducing some of the most interesting places to read and roam. "And yes, they do come with books. How cool can libraries be in an era of iPads and Kindles? Check out these seven libraries, graphically described, and the reasons why : Central Library in Seattle Trinity College Library in Dublin UC San Diego's Geisel Library TU Delft Library in the Netherlands Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt Stuttgart City Library Bishan Public Library, Singapore"
Via Fe Angela M. Verzosa
"This thesis won the National Corobrik Architectural Thesis Award 2010. I have made the entire Thesis Document available for download here: http://www.activeingredient.org/pdf/Everywhere%20is%20Here%20-%202009.pdf
This architectural animation explores the question of the role of the public library when digital information is everywhere and is everything. What happens to the spaces of books? and how should traditional spaces of information change for a digital world? Even better... in the developing world, how could the library nurture an information society, when people don't have access at home? Could the future of the library be an urban information bar? or a theatre of knowledge? and what does that really mean anyway?
This animation is just an introduction to my architectural masters thesis called EVERYWHERE IS HERE: I will be blogging some random stuff at www.everywhereishere2009.blogspot.com Personal Website: www.activeingredient.org
Via Miguel Mimoso Correia
"On July 11, the Queen opened the new £60million library and history centre in Worcester, a joint venture between the University and the County Council to serve the county’s population of 550,000 residents and 10,000 students. The landmark project, a decade in the planning and with a stunning visual impact on the cityscape, is the first such extensive collaboration outside the US. The Hive brings together books, documents and archives from both organisations under one roof. It houses one of the largest children’s libraries in the country, affording the opportunity for children to grow up with the library, from infant to undergraduate. Staff from both the public and university libraries will work side by side, trained to deliver an extended range of services to all users from a combined stock."
Via nickcarman
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Piotr Kowalczyk: A list of most tremendous examples showing how modern libraries are shaping the way we learn and enjoy reading in the digital age.
The books found within them are fascinating, but the buildings that store 'em can be just as cool.
by TONIA MOXLEY Welcome to the modern research university library, where new skills and even new spaces are being developed to serve the needs of scholars, scientists and students working in the digital age. From a digital-ready classroom to furniture reminiscent of the starship Enterprise, library officials say they are developing new ways to serve the campus, and the public. As libraries transform for the digital age, “it’s an exciting time,” said Judy Ruttenberg of the Association of Research Libraries, a membership and advocacy organization for 125 of the nation’s largest research libraries, including the Library of Congress. “When university libraries housed large print collections and people had to come there to use them, that was a different model. Now students, scholars and researchers have many options, and the library serves in a different way,” Ruttenberg said. To keep libraries relevant amid the rapid expansion of Web-based information, Tech officials are using architects and student advisory committees to develop spaces and services that draw the campus into the library.
A combination of old architecture and modern design, the library recently appeared on the list of “The 50 Most Amazing University Libraries in the world.
With concerts, art exhibits and cafes, these buildings inspire more than just study sessions.
Cicero was suggesting a garden in the library, where he could spend his time in a natural setting, reading, writing, and conversing with his colleagues. This ancient idea can also apply to contemporary thinking about libraries and their landscapes. How do we thoughtfully place a library in the landscape? And how can we create outdoor spaces that work in concert with the library interior?
When a new public library is planned, it is not only the design that must be considered. The placement of the building in its setting (its landscape) and the design of the landscape together with the building are fundamental parts of the planning process. Unfortunately, architectural endeavors sometimes focus almost exclusively on the building itself. How the building might relate to its setting is often an afterthought. As a result, important opportunities to enhance both the building and its site are overlooked.
by Jill Harness: "We already looked at libraries in all the major continents, but there were so many great ones in the United States that the article featuring libraries in North America had to leave many beautiful buildings out. Now’s the time to share some of the stunning libraries that might not make it in the top 10 of North America, but definitely deserve your attention." Read the full text here: http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/148866#ixzz2AlsgqzQI
--brought to you by mental_floss!
"When considering the design and function of precinct developments, thoughts often naturally run to bars, cafés, sporting venues and theatres. While these spaces are important as community hubs, libraries are taking on a growing role in the world of architecture.
Library developments have gained prominence in recent months, with home developers and interior designers placing heavy importance on private libraries and commercial and government entities investing heavily in the development of public library spaces."
Via KrisPaterson, nickcarman
By Jill Harness: We've covered Europe's, Asia's, Africa's, North America's and South America's most beautiful libraries; now it's time to take a look at Australia and, while it isn't technically a part of the continent, New Zealand as well.""
[...] "thanks to korean-born, germany-based architect eun young yi this new cubic facility, influenced by the structure and organization of the ancient pantheon, just may be the future of library architecture – at least in Europe. As featured on Designboom.com, the multi-storied space apparently draws in natural light through the roof."
Via Trudy Raymakers
RT @randomhousekids: 10 Wonderful Libraries Repurposed from Unused Structures http://t.co/NCYGpo3w via @flavorpill... By Emily Temple: "Last week, the internet went crazy for an abandoned Walmart in McAllen, Texas, that was recently converted into the country’s largest single story library, winning its category in the 2012 Library Interior Design Competition in the process. Inspired, we went on the hunt for other libraries that were born from unused and abandoned structures, from the large (drill halls and supermarkets) to the small (phone booths and shipping containers). After all, what better way to recycle just about anything than to turn it into a center for knowledge?"
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![15 super unique libraries around the world, by SARAH PARK [PICs] | The Information Professional | Scoop.it](/resources/img/white.gif)
Teacher librarians are essential catalysts towards access to knowledge; not only information!