*영국 버밍엄 도서관 [ mecanoo architects ] birmingham library

건축물의 파사드는 성격에 따라 작게는 대지와의 관계성을

크게는 도시와의 관계성을 갖는다.

여기 버밍엄 도서관의 새로운 파사드는 도식화된 도시의 컨텐츠를

중첩시키며 깊이감 있는 파사드 패턴으로 표현한다.

이 지역을 대표하는 전통장인의 손끝에서 탄생한 메탈서클은

무수한 변종으로 확장, 중첩되며 궁극적으로는 도시의 시간을 파사드에 새긴다.

빌딩내 수직으로 관통하는 8개의 원형공간 -에아 아트리움-을 연결하는 엘리베이터,

에스컬레이터는 도서관 중심부에 다이나믹하게 위치한다.

이러한 보이드 스페이스 -에어 아트리움, 원형 로툰다-는

내부공간에 활력을 불어 넣는 숨구멍을 역활을 하는 동시에

자연채광과 자연환기를 내부공간으로 유도하는 패시브 디자인으로

실질적인 숨구멍으로 작용한다.

그럼에도 불구하고 건축물 전체의 효용적인 에너지 사용이 가능한 것은

액티브 디자인을 통한 신재생에너지의 효용적인 적용에서 그 답을 찾을 수 있다.

도시의 시간을 담는 그릇은 현대적인 건축공간에서 요구하는 효율적

기능적 공간을 수반하는 동시에 도시생활을 위한 거점공간으로 생성된다.

reviewed by SJ

set to open next week, the birmingham library by mecanoo architects is reportedly the biggest in europe, sporting a 186 million euro price tag. the architecture enlivens a previously underused centenary square, the largest in the city. the volumes behave like distinct palazzos and serve to both consolidate and express the multiple histories of the urban hub. the spatial narrative weaves together important epochs in the history of the city; the repertory theatre (rep), a 1960s concrete building, the library of birmingham, designed in 2009 and baskerville house, a listed sandstone building designed in 1936. the busiest pedestrian route in the city, what mecanoo calls the red line, leads pedestrians into centenary square. the cantilever of the library is not only a large canopy that provides shelter at the common entrance of the library of birmingham and the rep, but additionally forms a grand city balcony with views of the events and happenings on the square.

 

the central architectural gesture, however, is primarily expressed with a rich and layered tectonic palette. expanses of glazing are met with a varied mesh of circular metal filigree, the shapes of which draw from the industrial region's artisan tradition. elevators and escalators dynamically placed in the heart of the library form connections between the eight circular spaces within the building.  these rotundas play an important role not only in the routing through the library  but also provide natural light and ventilation. the rooftop rotunda houses the shakespeare memorial room, designed in 1882. this victorian reading room is lined with wood from the first birmingham central library. its prominent position as a rooftop aerie makes this delicate room visible from the square. the rep with its unique and beautiful auditorium will be renovated. new workshops, staff accommodations and a shared theater and foyer space will be created for both the rep and the library.

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Architects: Mecanoo
Location: 309 Broad Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
Client: Birmingham City Council
Area: 35,000 sqm
Year: 2013
Photographs: Christian Richters

the library of birmingham is a BREAAM excellent rated building and incorporates grey water systems and ground source heat pumps. although the library is a transparent building, it maintains energy efficiency through the buffering capacity of the building mass and the atria. sun shading and reflective materials within the facades block the harsh rays of the sun during the height of afternoon while allowing natural daylight into the interiors. the ground floor benefits from the mass of the soil which provides buffering and insulation. the circular patio cut out of the square creates a protected outdoor space and invites daylight deep into the building. the building will incorporate a mixed mode and natural ventilation strategy. the façade will respond to external conditions and openings will allow fresh air intake and outflow. the addition of soft landscaped roof spaces will further enhance the immediate surrounding conditions.

from  designboom