The building will connect the pre-existing park, with a gentle downward slope, to create a wider opening to the city. The curvilinear footprint of the new library is carefully drawn around the trees, along the perimeter of the park in an enveloping configuration, with a generous floor area at ground level and underground. Both floors have open floor plans with no fixed walls to create to create flow indoor and outdoor spaces.
The ground floor has functions that seek openness and interconnection, such as the café and the children’s area, connecting the indoor and outdoor environments, entirely opened to the park. The underground level offers adult and children-focused program with an outdoor amphitheater the raises up toward the exterior ground level.
The entire curvilinear facade is covered in tall glazing, providing a expansive views to the surrounding landscape. Also operable, the windows can be opened during sommer seasons to allow natural ventilation through the spaces.
The softly curved landscaping roof of the new library lays low towards the park to relate to the human scale and rises up towards the city’s urban scale. Timber is prominent throughout and the roof utilizes a wood shingle commonly present in traditional Norwegian buildings.
Beyond its primary library function, the new building will also accommodate residents’ services, a tourist information kiosk, and a National Ibsen Centre.
The project departs from the conventional idea of the library, that focuses on research, reading and study, and approaches the full integration of special and daily activities. Using natural, warm materials and textures, the design generates a comfortable, sense-engaging environment, where people are encouraged to learn and create. above all, Ibsen library is shaped to contribute towards a more democratic society, serving as an impactful arena of inclusion, openness, and integration of art within the local society.
The ground floor has functions that seek openness and interconnection, such as the café and the children’s area, connecting the indoor and outdoor environments, entirely opened to the park. The underground level offers adult and children-focused program with an outdoor amphitheater the raises up toward the exterior ground level.
The entire curvilinear facade is covered in tall glazing, providing a expansive views to the surrounding landscape. Also operable, the windows can be opened during sommer seasons to allow natural ventilation through the spaces.
The softly curved landscaping roof of the new library lays low towards the park to relate to the human scale and rises up towards the city’s urban scale. Timber is prominent throughout and the roof utilizes a wood shingle commonly present in traditional Norwegian buildings.
Beyond its primary library function, the new building will also accommodate residents’ services, a tourist information kiosk, and a National Ibsen Centre.
The project departs from the conventional idea of the library, that focuses on research, reading and study, and approaches the full integration of special and daily activities. Using natural, warm materials and textures, the design generates a comfortable, sense-engaging environment, where people are encouraged to learn and create. above all, Ibsen library is shaped to contribute towards a more democratic society, serving as an impactful arena of inclusion, openness, and integration of art within the local society.
