Växjö City Library (2003)
Facts:
Client
Växjö Municipality
Area
New build 3,850 m2
Conversion 3,100 m2
Construction sum
€ 9.8 million excl. VAT
Competition
2000, first 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.
Download:
Copyright is held by schmidt hammer lassen architects for all images appearing on this website.
The downloading or electronic copying of material for use by the media or for non-commercial use is permitted subject to copyright laws and restrictions and provided the images are not altered or manipulated in any way.
When using the images, drawings or diagrams, please credit schmidt hammer lassen architects.
In order to view this page you need JavaScript and Flash Player 8+ support!