Vistula Library
Competition: Libgen - Genesis of Libraries
Team: Mapendo Ngilinga de Carvalho & Rose Tabassi
Media: Revit, Rhinoceros, AutoCAD, Vray, Illustrator & Photoshop
Project Status: Library Concept
Award: Shortlisted Amongst +80 International Design Groups (2019)
Winter 2019
Background
The first learners were explorers. The ones who dared to venture out in unfamiliar land, fuelled by their innate desire to expand their consciousness. Vistula Library seeks to channel in us this explorative energy, pushing each individual to challenge their preconceived notions of the world, in an environment that is nurturing and inclusive.
In this era of information and technology, a library with a physical collection of knowledge is becoming obsolete. As personal devices shrink in size and become more accessible to the masses, fewer individuals require a designated workplace or a computer lab to perform their tasks. In order to regain public interest, a library must evolve beyond a mere collection or resource center - it must become a space of discovery, study, action, and consolidation. We describe an explorative space as a space that encapsulates all these characteristics.
Modern technology has brought new interfaces through which we can interact with the many areas of our lives. This is primarily accomplished through data collection. For a library to remain relevant throughout time, it must be able to keep a finger on the pulse of society.
The overall shape and elements within the design of the library were affected by the proposed site. Fundamentals such as the unusual property line, traffic surroundings, and the sun path that would be created over the property; implemented public double façade areas and large open atriums.
Focus
The Vistula Library focuses on flow and lightness. The floor plans are arranged for a flow to continue without any hesitation. This minimized cornering spaces and congestion around the library. Each floor was conceptually separated into two halves, the left side of each plan would store all of the rooms or areas that will burst with life and noise. The right halve focuses on separation, knowledge, and quiet spaces.
Vistula Library is designed with evolution in mind, offering a multitude of flexible spaces that allow for a large variety of programs to take place. These programs will be chosen and created based on the data of the community. By mining information on the latest trends, heat maps, and news, the librarians will adapt their program accordingly, and make use of machine learning to be able to capture trends before they happen and use it to inform their collection. This transforms the library from a passive, static collection of information, to a dynamic and evolving data center, whose decisions are informed, and relevant.
Due consideration has been given to the feel and atmosphere of the library. From its gently curving walls to its large, arch-like entrances, a sense of shelter is created. Its see-through façade symbolizes the transparency of the library as an institution and encourages all to take a look inside. Ramps and elevators were placed strategically to remove all barriers for those with less mobility to be interwoven in the life of the library.
Ground Level
Second Level
Third Level
Fourth Level
Main Entrance
Auditorium
Gallery
Cafe & Lounge
Multi-Level Atrium
Staff Areas
Outdoor Space
Loading Dock
Collections
Study Rooms
Technology Rooms
Double Facade System
Loading Space
Multi-Purpose Room
Lecture Room
Reading Room
Learning Center
Training Center
Workshop & IT Rooms
Double Façade System
This illustration explains the structure behind the double façade system. The thin tubbed waved façade, that travels around the entire structure, sits on a small frame that grounds all of the dead load into the double façade flooring system. The waved façade has a double function that allows sunlight to entire during the harsh winters (lower equinox) and blocks the heavy sunlight away from the building during the hot summers (higher equinox). The waves in the louver façade form openings at window locations to accomplish panoramic views of the city.
The left side of the structure was purposely faced towards the sun path to allow as much "life" and natural light to enter into those alive spaces during the day. The two halves are split with a 4-floor atrium connecting the two. This atrium will act as a "barrier" and "separation" of the library.
Multi-Purpose Room (R.Tabassi)
Atrium (R.Tabassi)