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Museums and Libraries: The Latest Architecture and News

New Central Library in Berlin Winning Proposal / Envés Arquitectos

Designed by Envés Arquitectos, their proposal for the New Central Library in Berlin was named as one of the winners of the competition, which is conceived as an open, public, free and comfortable meeting place; summing up, an urban lobby. This flexible place is able to interact with a changing user (from a kid to an ancient), but simultaneously ensures the area’s accessibility and right usage. The library also aims to become an activity catalyst, a landmark to be perceived from far away. More images and architects' description after the break.

MoMA Selects Diller Scofidio + Renfro as Architect of the Folk Art Museum

The Museum of Modern Art has commissioned Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R) to design its controversial expansion that will overtake the former American Folk Art Museum in New York. This news comes after an intense backlash from prominent architects, preservationists and critics worldwide pressured MoMA to reconsider its decision to raze the iconic, Tod Williams and Billie Tsien-design museum in order to make way for its new expansion.

In response, DS+R has requested that MoMA gives them the “time and latitude to carefully consider the entirety of the site, including the former American Folk Art Museum building, in devising an architectural solution to the inherent challenges of the project,” as stated by Glenn D. Lowry, MoMA’s director, in a memo sent on Thursday to his trustees and staff. He added, “We readily agreed to consider a range of options, and look forward to seeing their results.”

More on the DS+R’s commission and the fate of the Folk Museum after the break...

UC Davis Art Museum Proposal / Henning Larsen Architects

Last year the University of California, Davis invited three architects to compete for the chance to design their new $30 million art museum, slated to open in 2016. The competition was a design-build affair, with each entrant being asked to pair up with a contractor and submit a holistic design. For those who missed it, SO - IL were announced as the winners of the competition.

Here we present one of the two runner-up submissions from Henning Larsen Architects. Given the name 'The Leaf', the design it spatially and materially expresses its overlapping functions. Its name comes from the lightweight leaf-like steel and aluminum roof, which filters sunlight and offers shade. The leaf sits on a heavy concrete base, providing accommodation for the museum's exhibits.

Read the architects description after the break...

UC Davis Art Museum Proposal / WORKac

Last year the University of California, Davis invited three architectsto compete for the chance to design their new $30 million art museum, slated to open in 2016. The competition was a design-build affair, with each entrant being asked to pair up with a contractor and submit a holistic design. For those who missed it, SO - IL were announced yesterday as the winners of the competition.

Here we present one of two runner-up submissions, this one from WORKac. The concept revolves around creating a distinctive beacon, which would be a centerpoint for an overlap between art, higher-education, and everyday-life. The parallelogram form is intended to create a dynamic space which creates opportunities for interplay with the proposed landscape and surrounding area. Inside a collection of formal and informal, open and intimate are arranged along two axes, pinned together with a bright common space.

Read the architects description after the break...

Herzog & de Meuron to Design the National Library of Israel

After carefully considering six international architecture firms - Ammar Curiel; Frank Gehry; Herzog & de Meuron; Kimmel Eshkolot, Kolker Kolker Epstein and Renzo Piano - an esteemed selection committee has chosen Herzog & de Meuron to design the new National Library of Israel in Jerusalem. The result comes after a controversial first attempt that ended in the dismissal of the initial competition winner for alleged copyright infringement.

More information after the break...

Israel National Library Competition Entry / Gil Even-Tsur

Designed by Gil Even-Tsur Architecture Workshop, their concept for the new National Library suggests that the architecture should be critical, strong, but also deferential and contextually responsive. Their intent is to display an almost aesthetic neutrality in terms of its form, assemblies, and materials by providing an architecture that acknowledges this complexity. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Orange Regional Museum Winning Proposal / Crone Partners

Organically revealing itself from the ground, the Crone Partners' winning design for the Orange Regional Museum aims to respectfully integrate a new building and program to the existing cultural precinct. Additionally, the architects intend to create a new identity whilst strengthening current civic conditions within the site. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Wine Thematic Center in Torvizcón / DTR Studio

Wine Thematic Center in Torvizcón / DTR Studio - Museum, FacadeWine Thematic Center in Torvizcón / DTR Studio - Museum, Table, Lighting, ChairWine Thematic Center in Torvizcón / DTR Studio - Museum, Column, FacadeWine Thematic Center in Torvizcón / DTR Studio - Museum, FacadeWine Thematic Center in Torvizcón / DTR Studio - More Images+ 24

Torvizcón, Spain
  • Architects: DTR Studio
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  1240
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2011
  • Professionals: Sb Engineers

Elsa Morante Public Library / DAP Studio

Elsa Morante Public Library / DAP Studio - Library, FacadeElsa Morante Public Library / DAP Studio - Library, Door, Facade, ArchElsa Morante Public Library / DAP Studio - Library, FacadeElsa Morante Public Library / DAP Studio - Library, BeamElsa Morante Public Library / DAP Studio - More Images+ 22

Varese, Italy
  • Architects: DAP Studio
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2008

Architecture Classics: Torre SRE Tlatelolco / Pedro Ramírez Vázquez

Architecture Classics: Torre SRE Tlatelolco / Pedro Ramírez Vázquez - Garden, Facade, CityscapeArchitecture Classics: Torre SRE Tlatelolco / Pedro Ramírez Vázquez - Garden, Facade, Arch, CityscapeArchitecture Classics: Torre SRE Tlatelolco / Pedro Ramírez Vázquez - FacadeArchitecture Classics: Torre SRE Tlatelolco / Pedro Ramírez Vázquez - Facade, CityscapeArchitecture Classics: Torre SRE Tlatelolco / Pedro Ramírez Vázquez - More Images+ 6

Mexico City, Mexico

Green Square Library Competition Entry / ASPECT Studios

Part park, part urban square and part garden, the public realm of the Green Square Library proposal is a unique landscape offering to this new urban community and is an exemplar of contemporary community public space design and place making. Designed by ASPECT Studios, the public realm is designed to integrate with the program of the library building and facilitate a richness of public experiences and moods by changing scales and tempos. More images and architects' description after the break.

National Maritime Museum Competition Entry / Holm Architecture Office (HAO) + AI

Situated outside the city of Tianjin in Northern China, the proposal for the new National Maritime Museum is designed to house both new and old maritime items with a focus on celebrating the historical achievements of Chinese naval exploration through out time. Designed by Holm Architecture Offce (HAO) + AI the museum combines all aspects of the maritime world, from aquarium to sailing to education, combining a series of unique visitor experiences under one roof. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Zhujiajiao Museum of Humanities & Arts / Scenic Architecture Office

Zhujiajiao Museum of Humanities & Arts / Scenic Architecture Office - Museum, Facade, HandrailZhujiajiao Museum of Humanities & Arts / Scenic Architecture Office - Museum, Garden, FacadeZhujiajiao Museum of Humanities & Arts / Scenic Architecture Office - Museum, Table, ChairZhujiajiao Museum of Humanities & Arts / Scenic Architecture Office - Museum, Courtyard, FacadeZhujiajiao Museum of Humanities & Arts / Scenic Architecture Office - More Images+ 15

Shanghai, China

CSMVS - Visitor Centre at the Prince of Wales Museum / RMA Architects

CSMVS - Visitor Centre at the Prince of Wales Museum / RMA Architects - Visitor Center, Garden, Fence, FacadeCSMVS - Visitor Centre at the Prince of Wales Museum / RMA Architects - Visitor Center, Facade, Column, DoorCSMVS - Visitor Centre at the Prince of Wales Museum / RMA Architects - Visitor Center, FacadeCSMVS - Visitor Centre at the Prince of Wales Museum / RMA Architects - Visitor Center, Facade, Handrail, ChairCSMVS - Visitor Centre at the Prince of Wales Museum / RMA Architects - More Images+ 13

City Library in Seinäjoki / JKMM Architects

City Library in Seinäjoki / JKMM Architects - Interior Photography, LibraryCity Library in Seinäjoki / JKMM Architects - LibraryCity Library in Seinäjoki / JKMM Architects - Interior Photography, Library, StairsCity Library in Seinäjoki / JKMM Architects - Exterior Photography, Library, FacadeCity Library in Seinäjoki / JKMM Architects - More Images+ 33

Seinäjoki, Finland

Badouzi Harbor / J.M. Lin Architect

Badouzi Harbor / J.M. Lin Architect - MuseumBadouzi Harbor / J.M. Lin Architect - MuseumBadouzi Harbor / J.M. Lin Architect - MuseumBadouzi Harbor / J.M. Lin Architect - MuseumBadouzi Harbor / J.M. Lin Architect - More Images+ 13

Library in Anzin / Dominique Coulon & Associés

Library in Anzin / Dominique Coulon & Associés - Library, FacadeLibrary in Anzin / Dominique Coulon & Associés - Library, FacadeLibrary in Anzin / Dominique Coulon & Associés - Library, FacadeLibrary in Anzin / Dominique Coulon & Associés - Library, Handrail, FacadeLibrary in Anzin / Dominique Coulon & Associés - More Images+ 22

Anzin, France

China Wood Sculpture Museum / MAD Architects

China Wood Sculpture Museum / MAD Architects - Museums & Exhibit , Fence, Handrail, CityscapeChina Wood Sculpture Museum / MAD Architects - Museums & Exhibit , CityscapeChina Wood Sculpture Museum / MAD Architects - Museums & Exhibit , Facade, CityscapeChina Wood Sculpture Museum / MAD Architects - Museums & Exhibit , FacadeChina Wood Sculpture Museum / MAD Architects - More Images+ 13