Arch Tracker

Project: Whistler Public Library
Architect: Hughes Condon Marler Architects
Location: BC, Canada
Photography: Martin Tessler

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UNStudio unveiled their entry for the Waalse Krook, Urban Library of the Future and Centre for New Media in the Belgian city of Gent. The proposal by Ben Van Berkel & Caroline Bos-led didn´t win the competition, but we are very happy to share it with our readers. Architects description and more photos after the break.

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Project: Almere Library
Architect: Concrete Architectural Associates
Location: Almere, The Netherlands
Photography: Wim Ruigrok

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Project: The Library Koh Samui
Author: Tirawan Songsawat
Location: Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand
Managing Director: Kasemtham Sornsong
General Manager: Jirapa Akkaraj

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Project: Library and Media Center Fernando del Paso
Architects: LeAP
            B. Arch. Heriberto Hernández 
            M. Arch. Raúl Juárez
            B. Arch. Jorge Hernández
Collaborators: B. Arch. Carlos Villaseñor
            B. Arch. Sergio Dávalos
            S. Arch. Bettina Muller
Location: Ocotlan, Jalisco, Mexico
Client: Universidad de Guadalajara
Construction surface: 5,346 sqm.
Cost: 4.5 US Million Dollars
Date of project: 2000
Construction: 2001 – 2007
Photography:  Arq. Heriberto Hernández Ochoa

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BIG was recently awarded with the first prize on an open international design competition for  Kazakhstan’s new National Library in Astana.

The new building has an area of  33.000 sqm, arranged as a continuous circulation on a Möbius Strip, as the result of 2 interlocking structures: the perfect circle and the public spiral. The sections (see below) clearly show how the horizontal program shifts to a vertical configuration,  combining vertical hierarchy, horizontal connectivity and diagonal view lines. The skin, which changes from wall to roof as the strip develops. It sounds a bit complicated, but the sections and diagrams explain this pretty well, and you can get the idea on how the spaces and diagonal views relate on the renderings. In short words, a clear lineal organization (ideal for an archive, library) is mixed with an infinite loop.

“What is a library but an efficient archive of books… and a path for the public to reach them” (Thomas Christoffersen, Project Leader).

This shape also looks forward to become a symbol for the nation: “the circle, the rotunda, the arch and the yurt are merged into the form of a Moebius strip. The clarity of the circle, the courtyard of the rotunda, the gateway of the arch and the soft silhouette of the yurt are combined to create a new national monument appearing local and universal, contemporary and timeless, unique and archetypal at the same time” (Bjarke Ingels).

But once again, BIG diagram´s are way better to explain this than my words. See the diagrams, sections and renderings after the break: Leer el resto de esta entrada »

Project: Guadalajara Library
Architect: LOT-EK
Location: Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
Size: 460,000 sq. ft.
Status: Competition

In 2005 the University of Guadalajara and the Municipality of Zapopan Jalisco, through the University of Guadalajara’s Cultural Center Trust announced the “International ideas and Conceptual Architectural Project for a Library Competition, a public library for 3,600 users and 2’000,000 volumes. LOT-EK have shared with us their proporsal for this contest.

Over 200 Boeing 727 and 737 fuselages are stacked in a north-south slant in relation to sun exposure for energy efficiency. Two shifts in the direction of the main axis of the fuselages generate two large open spaces within the stack.

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From the Library and Hall Competition for Bodø, Norway, Langdon Reis Architects was on the final round. Here is their proposal.

The Bodø Kulturhus and Library consists of two public buildings; a new city library (5,500m²) and a concert hall/theatre (7,350m²), with a construction budget of approximately 800,000,000 NOK. Following the judging of the second round DRDH Architects have been selected to build the theatre/concert hall and the library.

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