Tower of books for Spijkenisse signed MVRDV
It’s time to write more about Dutch design firm MVRDV now that Rotterdam, as well as the nearby city of Spijkenisse, where this library is to be built, are getting architectural makeovers.
Completion of the building is scheduled for fall 2011. With a surface of 10,000 m2, this public libray will be an example of energy efficiency and advertise reading through its design of a book mountain. In addition to the book collection and reading areas, the library will accommodate commercial facilities, offices, an auditorium, conference rooms, and exhibition spaces.
Let me see:
– I have problems with the fact that direct sunlight is hitting books, although there is talk of solar protection. Probably a normal response.
– Call me politically correct, but all that climbing for the elderly and the likes got my attention. Again, I could be wrong, but that is more often than not a problem in the Netherlands.
– I do like the Dutch ‘obssession’ with showing the insides of buildings (the Muziekgebouw aan het IJ in Amsterdam came to mind). I once read that even showing the insides of canned foods worked well in the Netherlands.
– The whole Library of Alexandria meets Louvre Pyramid “in traditional Dutch barn yard style typology” needs some getting used to. Apparently, the shape and choice of materials is a reminder of the agricultural history of Spijkenisse, “now a suburban area of Rotterdam with statistically a low average of readers.” Politely put, it’s full of low income families who just don’t read (or can’t) and couldn’t care less what their ‘burb of Spijkenisse used to look like.
So yes, please build these folks a nice public library. Right on.
(Link and photo: dezeen.com)
You mean outside the Netherlands they don’t sell vegetables in jars?
I can tell you that they do, unless Germany became part of the Netherlands lately…
>all that climbing for the elderly and the likes got my attention.
the whole thing must have been planned according to the “a healthy mind in a healthy body” principle…
Speaking of libraries, I like a building with integrity and Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas’ Seattle (Wash.) Library fits the bill for me.
Last year I was in A’dam and visited the new home of the Stadsarchief Amsterdam in De Bazel (formerly the home of the Nederlandsche Handel-Maatschappij) and just loved it. Unfortunately, my friend and I arrived near closing time; we exited the building with newly married couple who had used the building for their wedding reception (good use for the site, I reckon).
I just like the mix of old, revamped old, and new in Amsterdam happening now!
oops some explanations needed:
the solar protection is not for the books but for climate reasons as in this library the books only last 5 years, they are for borrowing and bound in plastic, before they get the chance to deteriorate in sunlight they are literally read into pieces.
The library is fully accessible for wheelchairs.
Low income families can also have civic pride and they are an important focus group of the library.
Thanks so much for this extra info!!