January 2010 Archives

narrowing down of sites in relation to future flood danger zones, seizmic activity, and local availability of limestone bedrock.

well maybe not all of them...

this is an example of one of the evidence pages which is the backside of the plates.

below a comparison of the iconic void structure to other icons. Rather than going down the path of structural acrobatics, the library archive creates an internal vertical space of sublime proportions, experienceable from a human scale. The external structure is therefor allowed to be more robust as a structure. 

Above: studies of the various spatial effects of the void, using different governing criteria, structural, spatial, and for wind and light. 

The model above demonstrates a scenario of intersection between wormholes. These intersections increase the capacity for meandering through the levels of the library. In all case with the wormholes, the destination of the wormhole is always hidden, inviting people to explore the levels, and find new experiences and relationships between information. 

The vertical circulation "wormholes" penetrate to the periphery, allowing light and air circulation into the library, and allowing sudded exterior views which are not available in the library main spaces. The Puncturing of the facade, creates an expressive and contemporary language to the facade. The study above shows how light and ventilation (below)shafts are integrated into the assemmbly, offering hidden light sources to the level below. 

I've looked at the way human civilizations have organized space over a history, namely in cities, these "footprints" of civilization are distilled into planometric patterns of open space and movement. Which form the basis for the design of the floors, of the library. Walking through the levels, people experience the changes in space. These urban patterns are scaled to create a smililar scale of pedestrian circulation routes.  

The wormholes create a disturbance, in the grid to create more confusion around the perifery maintaining clarity toward the centre. This organization amplifies the two circulation routes through the building. The direct vertical spiral (centre) where there is a clarity of navigation. And the meandering paths (periphery) allowing visitors to enjoy the experience what Umberto Ecco calls the "joy of getting lost" in the layers of history.