haifa university library

Lerman Architects & Town PlannersLerman Architects & Town Planners

Haifa

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aifa

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Expansion of the library and renovation of the existing area


Haifa

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aifa

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Expansion & Renovation of the main library (O. Niemeyer. 1962-8)

The celebrated campus was designed by the world famous architect - ‘Oscar Niemeyer’ - during the mid - 60s. Alongside the library this ‘mega-structure’ collects under its vast roof various functions such as lectures, conventions, commerce, laboratories and a museum.

The building was designed as a vast open plan where the walls are free from carrying any of the structural loads and thus allow for the generation of open and fluent spaces that enable maximum flexibility in the interior subdivision of the space.

Throughout the years since the opening in the late 60s, the library served a diverse crowd of students that steadily grew in its number and stands today four times its original size. Obviously the space grew smaller in direct relation to the growth in the collection volume and the number of users and staff.

The design addresses directly the issue of crowdedness through the introduction of a new wing.

The added wing offers a site for the relocation of exiting offices and classes that migrate from the old building into a new and well-planned setting.

The space that becomes available in the main building allows for the much- needed reorganization of the famous library.

The design target is to respectfully transform the library into a lively, fluent and user-friendly space and to adapt it to current day standards in a way that fits a modern campus.


Haifa

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aifa

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General considerations & planning criteria’s

1. Addition of new building space

2. Central & autonomous core area

3. Relocation of the main entrance to the library

4. Revaluation of interior/exterior relations

5. Density, orientation & daylight

6. Facilitating flexible & efficient built-in elements

7. Re-programming existing unused space

8. Securing safety of movement and working areas

9. Minimal interventions in the existing structure and building layout


Haifa

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aifa

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Library Entrance

Building Main Entrance

Main PedestrianRoute on

level 600

Relocating the entrance - Proposed flow diagram - new gravity center

Relocating the library entrance at the top floor solves the unclear connection between the library entrance at the lower floor, and the building’s main entrance at the upper floor.

Adjacent to the building main entrance, the library is clearly positioned as the central element in the building.

A new gravity center is thus formed directly in the center of the building. Though the main entrance was always there, it has lost its significance due to the lack of adjacent programs – it never led anywhere, and the two poles at the opposite ends of the pedestrian route gained significance through the accommodation of various programs (coffee house, restaurant, shop, bank).

The scheme uses the same tactics, attracting similar programs in adjacency to the new center. We also propose a new circulation element – a spiraling ramp that will connect all 3 floors of the building and will form a light chimney. The ramp simplifies and clarifies circulation and orientation in the building and turns the movement into a fluent experience that negotiates interior (library) and exterior (patio).


Haifa

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ryH

aifa

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Relocating the library entrance next to the main building’s main entrance effectively marks the library the largest and most significant element in the campus.

The new entrance is

accessible from the

main floor and is

clearly visible from it.

Connecting the two

floors of the library is the spiral

shaped ramp that turns descent and

ascent in the building into fluent

experience with overlooking views

into the different library areas.


Haifa

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aifa

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Plan Level 700 (Main Entrance)


Haifa

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aifa

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Façade of new addition - staff section and library patio


Haifa

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aifa

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The central core is located along the library main floor, it is accessible from the main entrance to building as well as from all other sections of the library. Laid out along 110 m, the core is a vast continues open space that reveals the key attribute of the original design that was hidden by the countless subdivisions and additions to the floor. The new core enjoys a prime location as it is mediating between the collections and staff sections and allowing overlooking views of both.

The core is programmatically sub-divided by three main service counters and offers a variety of reading and information areas that are spread along the day lit space.

The autonomous core is the central element in the modern library. The diverse cultural activity that is produced within the core generates the dynamics of the library’s new identity. The central core is designed as a flexible entity that at desired times can be joined or separated from the reading, collections and staff sections. This operative flexibility allows the library to function in a variety of modes, along longer durations of time, and with fewer staff that is required to service it, in pick and off pick times.


Haifa

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aifa

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View Along the Central Core


Haifa

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aifa

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Plan Level 600


Haifa

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aifa

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View of the patio in-between the central core and the new wing


Haifa

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aifa

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Today – offices added along the facades prevent light from penetrating

Proposal – offices are relocated to the new wing, skylight alows light penetration to the preveously dark center

The enormous roof (70m wide) allows for only little penetration of light into the depth of the library. Thus a clear spatial hierarchy is formed, in which illuminated edges are preferable to the dark center.

The lack of daylight and the monotonous artificial lighting further contribute to problems of orientation in the building center, which is perceived as a “non-place” - a repetitive space lacking clear characterization.

The proposal introduces an opening in the roof, enabling light to penetrate into the center of the library, reestablishing the center as a unique well lit space that enjoys direct access to the roof.


Haifa

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aifa

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View of the porposed opening in the roof, and ascent to the roof galery Center of the Library - Today


Haifa

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aifa

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View along the roof gallery


Haifa

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aifa

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North Elevation

haifa university library

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