titel
Library Waregem
location
Waregem
jaartal
2021
titel
Library Waregem
location
Waregem
jaartal
2021
From the outside, the library appears to be a glass disc with overhanging eaves. On the inside, however, a more complex architecture becomes apparent. Indeed, the simple facade conceals a gently ascending spiral around a central atrium. All departments, reading rooms and sitting areas are organized on that sloping floor. The reading rooms were housed on the flat corners of the spiral for practical reasons. That design immediately provides an orderly library and integral accessibility.
From the outside, the library appears to be a glass disc with overhanging eaves. On the inside, however, a more complex architecture becomes apparent. Indeed, the simple facade conceals a gently ascending spiral around a central atrium. All departments, reading rooms and sitting areas are organized on that sloping floor. The reading rooms were housed on the flat corners of the spiral for practical reasons. That design immediately provides an orderly library and integral accessibility.
The structure of the building is provided mainly in on-site poured concrete. This mass, in turn, was employed as the primary heating and cooling element of the building through the implementation of concrete core activation. In this sense, it was also an obvious choice to keep the concrete visible. On the one hand, this fits into our philosophy of fair use of materials and using as few additional finishing materials as possible (circular construction). But in this way, the structure also shows itself throughout the building, and is an integral part of the interior image.
The complexity of the slopes, together with the underground situation required on-site poured concrete. As a result, the structure could be purified to its essence. A flat sloping floor slab on circular columns. This creates a quiet and intimate sense of space.
The roof over the atrium was folded to provide zenith and indirect light with northern orientation. This is important for a pleasant reading comfort as well as for the sustainable storage of the books. This central part of the roof is made of a steel structure that reveals itself to the interior. The structure thus forms a frame above the atrium and thus reinforces the concrete spiral around it.
The combination of the flat concrete slopes and the ribbed steel structure in the roof, contributes to the dynamic course through the building and creates a rumble between atrium and circular walkway.
The four glazed facades, together with the central roof lights (northern lights), provide the basic lighting of the building. All facades are designed in an identical way to avoid the building appearing to have its back to South Avenue. Due to its extrovert character, the building's content thus radiates in all directions.
The roof over the atrium was folded to provide zenith and indirect light with northern orientation. This is important for a pleasant reading comfort as well as for the sustainable storage of the books. This central part of the roof is made of a steel structure that reveals itself to the interior. The structure thus forms a frame above the atrium and thus reinforces the concrete spiral around it.
The combination of the flat concrete slopes and the ribbed steel structure in the roof, contributes to the dynamic course through the building and creates a rumble between atrium and circular walkway.
The four glazed facades, together with the central roof lights (northern lights), provide the basic lighting of the building. All facades are designed in an identical way to avoid the building appearing to have its back to South Avenue. Due to its extrovert character, the building's content thus radiates in all directions.
Over ons
Pellentesque tincidunt nisl metus, vitae bibendum diam malesuada ac. Aenean bibendum orci non tincidunt elementum. Nulla efficitur dui non tellus imperdiet cursus. Donec at dignissim metus, a suscipit quam. Quisque ultrices mi non orci pellentesque, ac sodales ex rutrum.
Pellentesque tincidunt nisl metus, vitae bibendum diam malesuada ac. Aenean bibendum orci non tincidunt elementum. Nulla efficitur dui non tellus imperdiet cursus. Donec at dignissim metus, a suscipit quam. Quisque ultrices mi non orci pellentesque, ac sodales ex rutrum.
