| Architect |
Jo Coenen & Co Architekten |
| Date
Built |
2007 |
| Location |
Oosterdokseiland |
| Description |
|
Jo Coenen says on the company website that,
"...Building a library is a classic
example of an assignment that does NOT
primarily require making a composition
of the exterior of a building, a
collection of façades, but rather mainly
requires designing the interior world of
the building. 'The building and the
interior are intricately connected'. For
this reason, Jo Coenen not only wanted
to design the building, but also its
interior. The assignment was to build a
stacked-up, envelope-shaped building of
28.500 square meters, in compliance with
existing urban development plans, with a
volume consisting of a height of 40 m, a
width of 40 m and a length of 120 m,
approximately." The result
of his efforts is there for all to see in
this beautiful building, pleasing to the eye
on the outside but a wonderful people place
inside. Coenen adds that, "...
The exterior was created from the
inside, so to speak. It's all about
'creating pleasant spots' through the
use of light, space and colour. Because
of the many different activities offered
by the library, it is of crucial
importance for these spots to be well
tuned to each other. The building must
be accessible and open to the core.
Because of its many different spots with
their very own ambiances, the library
remains an attractive place to visit in
spite of its large dimensions."    "The same materials used for the exterior are used for the interior. The central cores of stability and elevators, as well as the canopy and entrance, were all finished with sand-coloured, rough limestone. In this natural stone 'sculpture', slipcases made of Western Red Cedar were placed in a steel framework. This is where the 'centre' of the building is located, housing the actual library with its floors containing the total collection of books. In the western façade, this wall transforms, as it were, into a 'ladder'. To the inside, the wall opens up as slipcases, now finished with American maple. The spaces thus created in the wall have a secluded air and provide a magnificent panorama of the city."     With an area of
28,000 square meters, this is the
largest library in the Netherlands accommodating
a half million books, magazines, CDs,
DVDs, games and blu-rays.It provides
more than 1,000 seats and 490 internet
computers and at the top of the
stairs, seen below, is an excellent
market style eating experience.
   |
|
|
Bibliotheek,
Amsterdam, Holland
 |
