Theory Of

Architecture
Country : Holland
Project : Central Library,
Rotterdam
-Deeksha Kharbanda
3rd Year, Section : A
USAP

Rotterdam Central Library

Architects :
Exterior : Van den Broek and Bakema
Interior : Van Velzen Lafeber Bonnuer

Total floor space

: 24,000 sq.m
Open,
inviting,
centrally
located
building that
is accessible
to everyone.

Building Facade

The building is shaped like a cube with a cut-off corner,

where a glass "waterfall" encapsulates the crisscrossing escalators which connects the six floors.

The declining levels contain approximately 400,000

books in an open setting.

The building features :

A modernist stepped design,
expansivewindows, and
a huge cascade of yellow pipes (for the air conditioning
take in a prominent place)
the other facades have white parapets and glass strips

Special Feature

Its stepped faade faces the city center, bringing plenty of natural
light in while providing lots of area for enjoying greenery and fresh
air outside. . In one of these steps of the front had turned a green
roof, climate and walkable, and that means a new relationship
with the city space and library use with amorerecreational and
leisure, Informal Reading.

The GREEN ROOFoverlooks the lively outdoors market and

provides tables for enjoying tea or coffee.

Interior Spaces

The librarys stairs and elevators are located at the core of the
building. These conduits take people throughout the librarys six
floors, which hold approximately 250,000 books!
Sun doesnt reach the central spaces, so big pendant lamps were
installed that match the buildings grand scale.
A cool ceiling with light reflecting mirrors decorates one corner of
a room, adding a modern touch to the interiors.

The librarysfurniturewas designed by DutchStudio

Makkink & Bey.

It plays an important role in defining shared and isolated

spaces.
Other furnishings create perfect semi-private spaces for coworking or studying in small groups.

The library houses one of the biggest Record Libraries in Europe.

There are also a Library Theatre, a Selexyz Donner bookstore, a
cafe,internetterraces on the first and top floors and lecture halls.

Also. a large activity room on the ground floor first offered space to
exhibitions, but was later filled in with a bar. The Library Theatre
has a separate entrance on the Hoogstraat.
On the second floor a youth
section with different angles for
reading and a central sunken
seating area are located.
By the use of new, low
bookcases, orientation has
improved and dark corners are
avoided

Other Features

A number of stacks are turned into public spaces. Every

level has is own colour: grey, blue, green, yellow, red and
purple.

Special furniture in style with the collection on that specific

floor serves as extra sign posts : A SELF EXPLAINING Library.

The higher one gets, the more quiet the library is, ending in
the City Study Centre on the sixth floor.

The library is an experience event itself. the collections

adapted to the need of customers.

It strikes a balance between knowledge centre and an

organiser of events and surprises.