which lasts and yields its fruits
from year to year,
from generation to generation.
Thomas Carlyle ( 1795-1881)
Books lead into a foreign and strange land, into ideas and fantasies, dreams, pictures and nations, history – an infinite plenitude and plurality opens to the reader. This breadth of thoughts is imitated symbolically in the building´s outside appearance as well as in the amalgamation of rooms in its inside structures.
Significant slogans are: the power of expression and width.
The dialogue between the base and the upsurging power…
The idea of the building consists in a quietly resting cube following
the road plus a glass cylinder uprising towards the sky. Both features
signalize the twofold message of the library building and thus communicate
two different messages. The dialogue between square and circle of the
Asplund library is continued by the interplay rectangle and oval. Elements
of a formal affinity enter into a unity full of tensions between nearness
and distance and in this relation give significance of unity and significance
to the two parts of the libraries.
What the base of the building tells and signifies…
The base of the building is in accordance with the straight lines of the
site, and its hard corners and limitations continue the characteristic
structure of the city. An analysis of the map of the city shows that by
turning round the Asplund library a recognizable significance is given
to the city library. By this turning-round and stronger accentuation of
the building the main entrance becomes more prominent and is better visible
in the surrounding area. The outside “skin” of the base pronounces
a clear message of the idea of the building: Letters are the life of the
building and letters are placed on the façade up to the fifth storey.
As a logical consequence the frame of the façade is formed by interwoven
letters - a clear expression of the inner function.
The building shows its dignity honestly and quietly.
The shining power of the glass cylinder…
The glass cylinder rises within a larger concept in the map of the city.
Visible from far around it illuminates the night sky, it shines in the
sunlight, and yet fits definitely in the landscape of the city –
decently and serenely and never shrill. Visible – thus a focus of
orientation - softly drawn, vividly coloured, airily in its life. The
hours of northern darkness are illuminated by a bright star in the city´s
skyline. The uppermost storey offers space for a restaurant, and the view
over the roof landscape of the city is combined with the width of the
surrounding country. It is the trademark of the library, an attraction
and a magnet in the city´s modern life. The base of the building
and the glass cylinder – two opposites that join and become a significant
gesture in Stockholm´s life.
The interior dialogue in the play of the ramps…
The interior structure of the building is marked by the idea of ramps
which include rooms. Starting point is the ground floor – it connects
with the street. The outside is part of the inside in a strong interplay
of interests. If you pass by you are allured to look inside, and thus
it becomes an invitation to enter the library.The inclination of the street
can be found again in the first ramp of the building. The other plains
of the building by being structured in ramps also offer a soft and airy
play of views, of large space, of a flow of interests, of an impression
of width of space and therefore width also in the brain and also of quietude
for readers and for those seeking quietude. In a wide gesture the movement
of the building continues without interruption into an open space. This
open space can be entered into, the sun can be relished, seasons can be
experienced. The library lets flee its life into freedom. Reading becomes
a pleasure.
In the tower of children´s books…
Opposite the city library there is - like an ascending head an eight-storeys
block, a building with straight contours, in the groundfloors connected
with the main building, in its function a link and a meeting place for
communication. The separation is clearly shown, yet its connection and
entrance from outside plus connection inside is stressed. The administration
of the city library is housed here. As a further incision the inner court
reaches the second storey and transports light into the tower. The demand
for width and generosity is taken care of, the view of the glass cylinder
acts electrifyingly and sets free a interplay. The building is in accordance
with the west part and leads into a symbiosis with the Asplund library.
The functional movements of the building in a play between the
inside and the outside…
Material for the restaurant is delivered underground, books on the other
hand are being transported on the rear of the buildings. In this clear
structure all disturbance are eliminated and the interplay of activities
is guaranteed.
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