Project 1B — Delft University of Technology: Central Library

The library at Delft University located in the Netherlands is an inspiration to students of the school. The Macanoo Architects were able to utilize the natural environment and play off of the park across the street to design a library that enhances its natural surrounding. The library is built to be part of a hill, where the program of the library is located under the hill, and the roof of the library is used as a grassy lawn for people to enjoy. The rooms of the library aligns with three of its facade that has windows. The building is ingenious in introducing natural light to its central space by introducing a cone at its center. The cone contains 4 levels of reading rooms and allows in natural light from its center and outer ring. The book stacks and shelves are located in the basement and central space where light is unable to reach it.

Studying this library was intriguing to me because the central cone is so much like what I wanted my library to have. A central space that reaches vertically and is used as a reading area, while the books surround it. This library also has similarities to our own site, that has a park in the front. The library was also designed to contrast the concrete auditorium building that sits in front of it. The success of this library only makes me question whether or not the library we are to design should contrast its surroundings or blend in.