http://www.arup.com/projects/amsterdam_public_library/amsterdam_public_library_1.aspx
The building has 7 levels on the ground and a basement with a restroom. The communication is simple: a core with escalators and different purpose spaces around it. There is an atrium void that goes through all levels and gives a wonderful view from above.
Image is taken from http://www.contemporist.com/2008/03/10/shelves-at-the-amsterdam-public-library/
The lower level is children section with circular shelves and plenty of beanbags to sit on. the height of the shelves allow children to access books from the lower and middle shelves, however upper shelves are accessible for any average tall person.
http://www.easydestination.net/blog/?itemid=1084
Some of those shelves are double height and they have a staircase in the center so at some point the bookcase resembles a castle =)
Navigation is simple. Basically there is only one way up and one way down - escalators. However there are a couple of staircases in the distant corners of the floor and elevators of course. The books split into categories and each floor has its theme: Arts, History, Novels, etc. Signage is also nice =)
I find successful the navigation in this building.
ReplyDeleteNumbers and descriptions of each level are placed at the lightened square screens above the escalators (it is seen at the photo 2). They are perfectly visible from the entrance hall and, through the openings in floors, from each level.
The descriptions are also duplicated on the back sides of escalators (photo 5) - it makes clear what is on the next floor while you are on escalator and can not see the large navigation panels.
Another thing which, probably, worth to mention is lightening in the building. As I read, it was a big task to get as much as possible of natural light in such a huge building. For these purposes, Jo Coenen, architect of the project, applied the trick with cutting the building in two parts (office section was detached from the public library). It allowed to get more natural light in both sections. Another trick is a curved wall reflecting the light. Openings in floors in the middle of the building were also cut to get more natural light in the heart of the library. Escalators were placed in the centre of building, as the most dark part, and gently highlighted to make them an additional source of light and the bright spot attracting the attention to the navigation screens.
Inna Vostrikova
IAD, Level 5
Plans and sections are available from: http://www.archdaily.com/505344/public-library-amsterdam-jo-coenen-and-co-architekten/
It is also worth mentioning that the library itself is not only a library it incorporates several functions and becomes a family center as it has children library with playground and chill-out area, an exhibition space around the perimeter of the building and a number of cozy multi-purpose rooms. those could be used for official meetings as well as for informal events. So the organization of the building responds to its name "Open Bibliotek" and becomes an open public center that meets different purposes not only the library function.
ReplyDeleteElena Khryasheva
IAD, Level 5