We’ve just launched ArchiveHub, our new tool that helps AEC practitioners to archive their project data more easily.
And while we’ve been busy trying to think of new, quicker ways of archiving digitally, we thought it was only fair to take a step back and appreciate the ancient practice of archiving. Not on computers or servers, but in the more traditional sense of paper, books and libraries.
So here we are — our team have put our minds together and made a shortlist (in no particular order) of the world’s most beautiful libraries, for your browsing pleasure.
1. The Old Library and Book of Kells — Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
The Old Library at Trinity College Dublin dates back to the early 17th Century. The Long Room (pictured above) was designed by Thomas Burgh. It’s 65m long and home to nearly 200,000 of the library’s oldest texts. We like it because of its symmetry and its distinctive barrel ceiling.
2. Biblioteca Vasconcelos — Mexico City, Mexico
This ‘megalibrary’ is located in the Buenavista area in the north of Mexico City and is named after philosopher José Vasconcelos. Built across 38,000m squared, this library is truly massive and beautiful as well. We like it because of the strange effect caused by the layout where the shelves appear to be floating in the air.
3. Bodleian Library Radcliffe Camera — Oxford, UK
Oxford’s Radcliffe Camera is a reading room of the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries. It was built in Palladian style in the 18th Century and doesn’t contain any cameras at all — the word ‘camera’ simply comes from Latin and means ‘vault’ or ‘room’. We like it because of its impressive domed roof, which is the third largest in the UK.
4. Stadsbibliotek — Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm’s Stadsbibliotek was designed by Swedish architect Gunnar Asplund and features a stunning rotunda. It opened in 1928 and houses more than half a million books in over 100 languages. We like it because of its panorama.
5. Livaria Lello — Porto, Portugal
This one isn’t a library, it’s actually a bookstore, but it was so charming that we put it on our list anyway. It’s one of the oldest bookstores in Portugal and has been selling books since 1881. We like it because of its cosy yet ornate design and stain glass ceilings.
6. Phillips Exeter Academy Library — Exeter, New Hampshire, USA
This library is part of Philips Exeter Academy, which is an independent school in New Hampshire, USA. It opened in 1971 after a 15-year construction period. Designed by Louis Khan, it’s constructed in three concentric circles and is the largest secondary school library in the world. We like it because of the use of light in its stunning atrium.
7. Toronto Public Library — Toronto, Canada
Toronto Public Library was designed by Raymond Moriyama and opened in 1977. It is the biggest reference library in Canada. We like it because of its huge, curving atrium and original use of sight lines across different levels.
8. Biblioteca Alexandrina — Alexandra, Egypt
The national library in Alexandria is located on Egypt’s Mediterranean coastline and was built to commemorate the lost Library of Alexandria from ancient times. We like it because of its iconic, sloping ceiling that is equally as impressive whether you’re outside or inside the building.
9. Musashino Art University — Musashino, Japan
Japanese architect Sou Fujimo designed this two-storey library in Tokyo, which is entirely build of bookshelves. We like this one because it’s great to look at but is also conceptually innovative, where the reading experience literally surrounds the user as they travel through the spiral layout.
10. Parque Biblioteca España — Santo Domingo Savio, Medellín, Columbia
The Parque Biblioteca España was designed by designed by Giancarlo Mazzanti and completed in 2005. The three separate buildings overlook Medellín. We like it because the library is supposed to represent illuminated stones in the darkness.
