projet en association avec Nicolas Dapremont/ non retenu
septembre 2006
Prague
Location of the building on the designated site
The building is located exactly on the setback undreground and over ground lines authorized on the general plan. The building
forms part of the close environnement insofar as it is in the continuity of the urban district. Although the program of the operation
is very large, the building does not exceed in height surrounding constructions, it respects the existing urban unit. It consists
of two urban faces on city side and two faces open on the park.
General concept of the architectural design
The building consists of for distinct parts :
— THE CANYON
— THE INTERVAL
— BOXES
— THE PEEL
— THE CANYON
The canyon is the architectural retranscription of a depression of the ground. Space created, a kind of artificial valley, makes it
possible to place a great part of the program while profiting from a great contribution from light and a large opening on outside.
The canyon contains the essence of the treasure of the library and the activity which is dependent for it. Surface of this one is used
like surfaces available for the public. The canyon contains the mysterious activity specific to the library but it is also the support
of the public activities.
— THE INTERVAL
The interval corresponds to the space delimited by the ground of the canyon and suspended boxes. It is the heart of the library.
It is all the vacuum ranging between the two structuring masses of the project. It is the continuity of the park in the building, without
visual rupture. It is a place largely open on outside, it is a place of meetings and discovered library. It is an oversize amphitheatre
which can accomodate all kinds of events. It is the place of vertical connections.
— BOXES
A double tablecloth of boxes float above the vacuum. They contain primarily reading rooms and the Library of the Parliament.
Their spacing allows a broad diffusion of the light in the central atrium. They enjoy a dominant situation on environnenment and
make it possible to be isolated from it more or less.
— THE PEEL
The whole of the building is sheathed of an external skin. The varition of its porosity and its opacity generates a mysterious
and progressive discovery of the new Library.
Simple description of operational and spacial relations inside the building
— THE CANYON
The canyon shelters the main part of storage spaces. Offices spaces are placed along the level lines, lit by central space.
Since these spaces leave vertical circulations which join central public space and the boxes above.
— THE INTERVAL
The interval is the space of which all connections are possible. It is a multifunctional space intended for the greatest number
of people. It makes visible the activity of the library while preserving it.
— BOXES
Reading rooms are preserved from activity of the Library by their situation in height taken off of the remainder of the building.
They allow flexible and free fitting spaces.
— THE PEEL
The building is discovered through a changing texture skin. It is crossed to penetrate there. It dilates in direction of the park,
it is opacified towards the city.
Brief technical description of the structural design and materials used
— THE CANYON
The canyon is the prolongation of the original ground of the park. It is a mineral and massive element on which the pedestrian walks.
It is considered as a base of protection and place of walk.
— THE INTERVAL
The interval is a space entirely glazed, delimited by the solid elements which surround it.
— BOXES
Reading boxes are interdependent of a tablecloth supported by pillars of circulation. The framework is imagined out of metal.
Boxes are regarded as metal containers with flexible openings adapted to the use of rooms.
— THE PEEL
The skin is a metal framework supporting glass panels of different opacity.