Växjö City Library (2003)
Schmidt Hammer Lassen - SHL
Facts:
Architect
schmidt hammer lassen architects
Client
Växjö Municipality
Area
3,850 m2 new build
3,100 m2 conversion
Construction sum
€ 9.8 million excl. VAT
Competition
2000, 1st prize in restricted international competition
Status
Construction period 2001 - 2003
Engineer
Moe & Brødsgaard A/S
Landscape Architect
schmidt hammer lassen architects
Awards
2004, Växjö Kommunes Arkitekturpris
2004, Nominated for the Kaspar Salin Prize
2005, Kronoberg Län’s Arkitekturpris
Description:
Växjö City Library sits in the cultural centre of the city and comprises a new build extension and a sensitive refurbishment of architect Erik Uluot’s building from 1965. The extension is an independent circular volume that matches up with the existing square library.
With a base of light-toned natural stone terminated at the top by an unbroken band of glass, the new building appears as a simple, balanced juxtaposition of stone and glass. Visual weight below and an apparent lightness above – exactly like its sister building but with the order reversed. The interconnecting building sensitively mediates contact between the circular building and its quadratic counterpart.
The circular atrium is the new building’s unifying element. Extending up through the library’s three storeys, long flights of straight-run stairs present a linear contrast to the geometry of the circle. Between the atrium and the building’s façade are the library’s many functions located, positioned as freestanding furniture pieces on the light-toned wooden floors at each level.
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