Almere Library by Concrete Architectural Associates
Concrete Architectural Associates have designed a new library in Almere, The Netherlands.
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Almere Library by Concrete Architectural Associates
The challenge was to design all public spaces within the new public library in Almere. The building was designed by Meyer en van Schooten Architects.
The overall design scope consisted of 5000m1 linear meters of bookshelves and accompanying facilities: counters, internet areas, a read café, study areas and a multimedia department. At the request of the client we contributed to the development of the shop-concept: a commercial approach, instead of a standard library positioning and structure, where books are presented to a ‘customer’ and where the library itself becomes a place to stay; more like a modern retail concept.
A typical library and significant retail concepts case-studies were extensively analysed on structure, target groups and the experience-factor. The outcome of the research has led to the foundation of the design.
Within the new library shop-concept the books are arranged according to different shops instead of numbers. Each section has a lifestyle-orientated space (youth, culture, health, travel, etc…) where books are frontally presented combined with openness.
Because of this the run shopper can find his product directly, while the fun shopper can wander through the landscape of books, explore the different worlds and discover places to sit back and browse through the pages. Meandering bookcases organise the landscape and create an adventurous environment of different identities. The bookcases are built with 1 straight and 5 curve modules. The additional functions are integrated into the bookcases, such as seating, workplaces, info terminals, counters, couches and lighting. This creates the unity and peace in a full library.
The news café is situated in the corner of the building on the second floor, above the entrance. The news café is provided with hundreds of magazines and newspapers, including a circular bar with monitors presenting the latest news.
The game and multimedia department is situated on the fourth floor above the news café, in a similar circular shape where monitors present the games live. These screens are visible from the adjacent city square and make the new library more dynamic.
Visit the Concrete Architectural Associates website – here.
Photography by Wim Ruigrok
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LyGuy on 18 Nov 2010 at 10:07 am #
The second photograph alone sold me.
Is there a way to get the full resolution version of the Analysis picture? Interested to see how they studied for the floor plan. =)
J.Brown on 18 Nov 2010 at 12:28 pm #
This is INCREDIBLE! Makes me want to go to the library….but my library does NOT look like this! Amazing job by the design team!
ONYX on 18 Nov 2010 at 3:53 pm #
For full disclosure, I am a librarian, and thus have that perspective. Caveats aside, I like this. The profession is in the process of redefining itself and creative re-thinking- such as this- is necessary. I find myself curious how re-shelving is affected, if at all, by the method of book display. I wonder if efficiency is affected [i.e. delivering books to browsing patrons quickly after said books are returned], if at all. This library is designed to be an inviting and interesting place, which I think all libraries ought to be. Visit libraries! You’ve already paid for the service and they are staffed by people who’s chosen profession is to help you! Soapbox speech aside- great exterior- draws a person in.
ummul on 28 Nov 2010 at 11:00 pm #
nice work … good for book lover
Kimberly Bolan Cullin on 08 Dec 2010 at 6:47 am #
Over the past 6 months I’ve been showing the Almere Library in my “21st century libraries” training sessions in the U.S. These workshops focus on the transformation of libraries, including new concepts, service models, and design methods. This is a great example of one direction libraries are (or should be) headed in.
I would love additional images of the news cafe and game and multimedia department. Thanks for sharing this forward-thinking library with us.