Aberdeen’s Sir Duncan Rice Library officially opened
September 28 2012
The £57m library houses over 1m books and incorporates spaces for study, group working, seminars and meetings. These are contained within a glass cube which contrasts with the asymmetrical atrium within, which is enveloped by the sweeping contours of eight floors of accommodation above.
Rated as BREEAM Excellent the library acts as focal point to a new public square, creating a new axis across the university campus.It is built on a base of Scottish stone with ground floor areas incorporating lounge and café spaces which play host to regular exhibitions.
Founding Partner of Danish architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen, Morten Schmidt, said: “The University has been committed to creating a magnificent academic library for science and research, which would at the same time be open to the local community of Aberdeen.
"All through the process the University has made visionary decisions and supported the design of the building. This has had a positive impact on the final result we see today.”
An irregular pattern of insulated panels and high performance glazing define the facade
An organic interior is intended to contrast with a clean-cut exterior profile
In 12 months the general public have generated over 700,000 visits to the new library
The library houses 15,500 square metres of floor space
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5 Comments
#2 Posted by wonky on 28 Sep 2012 at 15:32 PM
Lovely cube. Mies van der Rohe would have been proud- but then maybe not. I don't think he would have welcomed the asymmetrical features- it refutes reason. But der Rohe would have approved of the glass cube.
#3 Posted by SAndals on 28 Sep 2012 at 18:20 PM
Nice and confident piece of architecture - simple form lifted by the elevational treatment and wonky lozenge voids inside.
But £57M for 15,500sq m? That can't be right, Shirley?
But £57M for 15,500sq m? That can't be right, Shirley?
#4 Posted by Big Chantelle on 28 Sep 2012 at 19:28 PM
@David,
Apparently the glass facade represents 'granite' when viewed under a microscope. Apparently.
Apparently the glass facade represents 'granite' when viewed under a microscope. Apparently.
#5 Posted by David on 1 Oct 2012 at 17:25 PM
@ Big C...I know. It may well do, however that's really my point. No-one except us architects (and possibly only those who have heard the lecture) will know this, so what's the point?
Are we to use it as a tool to impress people when they say the like the building?...'well did you know?...etc'
Are we to use it as a tool to impress people when they say the like the building?...'well did you know?...etc'
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However I think this is a fantastic looking building, with a very fresh, innovative and open interior. I would definitely have learned to read if they had libraries as good as this when I was at University.