Library and Multimedia Centre (2010)
Schmidt Hammer Lassen - SHL
Facts:
Architect
schmidt hammer lassen architects
Client
CVBA Waalse Krook
Area
22,175 m2
Construction sum
Approximately € 54 million excl. VAT
Competition
2010, 2nd place in international competition
Status
Competition proposal
Engineer
Technum
Local collaborating architect
ELD partnership
Other collaborators
Venac (acoustics)
Description:
Once a district full of life, the Waalse Krook is to be turned into a place of knowledge, innovation and creativity and will again hold a rich public life. The backbone of the masterplan is to build on the inherent qualities of the site and introduce a series of interconnected public squares that continues into the new library building and the old existing Winter Circus.
The squares and agorae differ in scale and character and thereby form an interrelated but varied pattern of urban experiences and activities happening both at day and evening time all over the site. By restoring the quaysides into “urban furniture” the public will regain the connection to the water.
The new Library and Centre for New Media will become an architectural landmark and a point of attraction, both for its visual appearance and for the quality of public life and social interaction the building has introduced. It expresses an openness that includes all people and attracts new users. The new Library is contained within a bold sculptural building; a building that is modern in its volumetric appearance yet with strong reference to local scale, materials and spirit. The new building has been carefully sculpted to adjust to the scale of the surroundings ensuring the creation of open, high-quality public spaces around the building edge. The interior is light and open and the spacious double height agoras ensure visual connections between the floors and bring daylight deep into the building.
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