a library for the city of Cork May 2006
The city council of Cork, Ireland, had decided to demolish the old library due to several technical problems and lack of space. An architectural competition took place in 2006 from where they were to decide which of the final proposals would be accepted for a new Public Library in the same site. After having visited the site and consulted both the library’s principal and the city’s council, the demands of this project -the same with the demands of the real competition- were understood and incorporated in the design of the final scheme.
Gradual progression from the public-vivid spaces to the private-quiet ones as a visitor moves to the higher level resulted to the creation of a vibrant public ground floor-an internal plaza-, which would include the reception, the children’s section, the shops and an exhibition space. Fiction area is on the remoter next level, with cozy spaces for relaxing reading. Non-fiction area is more isolated on the upper level, with reading spaces for groups as well as private study rooms. On the last level, with advantageous view, is the City’s archive.
Designing the building to take advantage of daylight greatly improves the comfort and aesthetic appeal of interior spaces. It also reduces the energy consumption of the building by reducing the time the lights are on. User's psychological and physiological comfort can be improved by natural light. Because direct lighting can cause bleariness and over-heating -not approved for a reading space-, vertical external louvers of corten steel were designed. Passive cooling was also one of the aims, therefore natural air circulation was possible throughout the building.
Gradual progression from the public-vivid spaces to the private-quiet ones as a visitor moves to the higher level resulted to the creation of a vibrant public ground floor-an internal plaza-, which would include the reception, the children’s section, the shops and an exhibition space. Fiction area is on the remoter next level, with cozy spaces for relaxing reading. Non-fiction area is more isolated on the upper level, with reading spaces for groups as well as private study rooms. On the last level, with advantageous view, is the City’s archive.
Designing the building to take advantage of daylight greatly improves the comfort and aesthetic appeal of interior spaces. It also reduces the energy consumption of the building by reducing the time the lights are on. User's psychological and physiological comfort can be improved by natural light. Because direct lighting can cause bleariness and over-heating -not approved for a reading space-, vertical external louvers of corten steel were designed. Passive cooling was also one of the aims, therefore natural air circulation was possible throughout the building.
Public Building Design Studio * University College Dublin * individual project