University library Utrecht / Grosfeld van der Velde Architecten
© Rene de Wit
Architects: Grosfeld van der Velde Architecten
Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands
Client: Utrecht University
Project Year: 2005-2009
Photographs: Rene de Wit
The former palace of Louis Bonaparte built in 1807, situated on the Drift in the historic city centre of Utrecht, has undergone a total redesign over recent years. The first and most prominent part of the Universiteitsbibliotheek Binnenstad (University Library City Centre) and the main entrance to the ‘Drift cluster’ on the Drift are now complete. The library accommodates an 8.5 kilometre collection and 350 study desks and carrels. Over the coming years, work on the adjoining section will go ahead with the same intensity and ambition until the UB Binnenstad takes final shape. The whole complex contains six buildings with listed status that served primarily as book stores and archives. The buildings were architecturally very dated and neglected. As a result of numerous alterations made over the years, the original structure and character of the buildings had been lost. As the architects, Grosfeld van der Velde is responsible for the design, which has been produced in close consultation with DHV (detailed drawings and project management).
© Rene de Wit
section 01
The design was based on the concept of creating a natural meeting place for education and research, for employees and students, and for the university and the city in the heart of the Drift Cluster. A place where students and books take centre stage. The core values for the identity and perception of the complex include accessible, transparent, inviting, representative and restful. In addition to providing a functional and pragmatic solution for the programme of requirements, the design accentuates the intrinsic qualities and spatial layout of the different buildings, each of which has its own strengths and complements the others. The materials, details and colour scheme have been specifically chosen to draw the buildings together to create a unified whole. Particular attention has also been paid to integrating the complex installation techniques and the design of the interior components, such as study desks and carrels, search terminals, the library counter and fittings specifically developed for this project. Most of the study areas are situated at the front of the library and the collection is at right angles to the front of the building in an open arrangement. This makes the building light and transparent and encourages interaction. It creates a studious, attractive work environment where students can walk in and around the collection at their leisure and where there is space to meet for informal contact.
© Rene de Wit
The heart of the complex is the entrance to the library that has a new layout and design that naturally complements the existing building, enhancing the traditional features while creating a new, modern presence for the Universiteitsbibliotheek Binnenstad.
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- situation plan
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- ground floor plan
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- first floor plan
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- front elevation
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- section 01
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- section 02
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- section 03
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- section 04
awesome works! nice blended
Soo beautifull. This must be a nice place for reading…
Beautifull project.
fine new library for utrecht via @archdaily: http://bit.ly/5QXp0u
Those tile doors are nice, would like to see them closed.
Kudo to the post and interesting comment, i also bookmarked your RSS feeds for more updates.
very nice project – i would like to know technically how they deal with the mortar and masonry dust onto the books in the lower levels.
Excellent topics. I really like this topics, I found this from online that, each recipe has been tested and each one has come outperfect If not, they are not added to the site. All you need to know is how to make the perfect dishes.
who would have thought, looking at such dull plans and sections, that the end result could be this beautiful. Very well lit, and lovely composition of materials. The bookcases really bring out the architecture.
10:55 PM Sep 28th
University library Utrecht / Grosfeld van der Velde Architecten | ArchDaily http://t.co/gXFgv3B via @archdaily
2:07 PM Sep 29th
check out this complete renovation of 1807 palace in Utrecht http://fb.me/HMjIlUwV
5:35 AM Sep 30th
Wow! Wist niet dat de universiteit van Utrecht zo'n mooie bibliotheek heeft: http://bit.ly/ctos6I
11:58 AM Oct 1st
En op Uithof-campus nog een! RT @annameijer: Wow! Wist niet dat de Universiteit Utrecht zo'n mooie bibliotheek heeft: http://bit.ly/ctos6I
11:59 AM Oct 1st
RT @UniUtrecht: En op Uithof-campus nog een! RT @annameijer: Wow! Wist niet dat de Universiteit Utrecht zo'n mooie bibliotheek heeft: http://bit.ly/ctos6I