New Ibsen Library in Skien by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter
29/10/2020.
[Skien] Norway
metalocus, MARÍA ANASTIDAS
metalocus, MARÍA ANASTIDAS
Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter, in collaboration with BuroHappold engineering, have won the architectural competition for the Ibsen Library in Kulturkvartalet district of Skien.
The Ibsen Library was a commission to celebrated the renowned playwright Henrik Ibsen, who was born in Skien, Norway, the location of the new library.
The Ibsen Library is located at a critical crossing point within Skien’s urban scene creating a new cultural center in the city. To generate a welcoming environment with an active flow, the proposal is strategically designed with multiple accesses from all directions at every level.
The Ibsen Library was a commission to celebrated the renowned playwright Henrik Ibsen, who was born in Skien, Norway, the location of the new library.
The Ibsen Library is located at a critical crossing point within Skien’s urban scene creating a new cultural center in the city. To generate a welcoming environment with an active flow, the proposal is strategically designed with multiple accesses from all directions at every level.
New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter. Rendering by MIR
New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter. Rendering by MIR
New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter. Rendering by MIR
New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter. Rendering by MIR
New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter. Rendering by MIR
New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter. Rendering by MIR
New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter. Rendering by MIR
New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter. Rendering by MIR
New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter. Rendering by MIR
Axonometric. New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter.
Ground floor plan. New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter.
-2 Basement floor plan. New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter.
-1 Basement floor plan. New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter.
Mezzanine floor plan. New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter.
Axonometric. New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter.
Axonometric. New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter.
Axonometric. New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter.
Axonometric. New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter.
Axonometric. New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter.
Axonometric. New Ibsen Library by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Mad Arkitekter.
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.
More information
Architects
Project team
Kengo Kuma and Associates.- Kengo Kuma (Principal), Yuki Ikeguchi (Partner in charge), Marc Moukarzel (Chief project manager), Jagoda Krawczyk, Nicolas Guichard, Asger Taarnberg, Carlos Roig Gimenez, Italo Mazzoleni, Hiromichi Kamiya, Tomohiro Matsunaga, Benan Ataulusoy, Aglaia Danai Devetzoglou.
Mad Arkitekter.- Torkel Njå, Jens Walter, Monica Bellika Esaiassen, Léo Lesage.
Mad Arkitekter.- Torkel Njå, Jens Walter, Monica Bellika Esaiassen, Léo Lesage.
Consultants
BuroHappold.- Max Doelling, Peter Konnerup, Jose Allerhand, Daniya Doelling.
Client
Skien Municipality.
Area
7760 m².
Dates
2020.
Renderings
MIR, Kengo Kuma and Associates.
KENGO KUMA
Kengo Kuma was born in Yokohama (Kanagawa, Japan) in 1954. He studied architecture at the University of Tokyo, finishing his degree in 1979. In 1987, he opened the "Spatial Design Studio". In 1990 he founded "Kengo Kuma & Associates" and extend the study to Europe (Paris, France) in 2008. Since 1985 and until 2009, has taught as visiting professor and holder at the universities of Columbia, Keio, Illinois and Tokyo.
Main Awards:
· 2011 The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize for "Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum."
· 2010 Mainichi Art Award for “Nezu Museum.”
· 2009 "Decoration Officier de L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" (France).
· 2008 Energy Performance + Architecture Award (France). Bois Magazine International Wood Architecture Award (France).
· 2002 Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award (Finland).
· 2001 Togo Murano Award for “Nakagawa-machi Bato Hiroshige Museum.”
· 1997 Architectural Institute of Japan Award for “Noh Stage in the Forest”. First Place, AIA DuPONT Benedictus Award for “Water/Glass” (USA).
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