Shelter after earthquake. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval
07/10/2019.
[Constitución] Chile
metalocus, CARLOS MOMBIELA
metalocus, CARLOS MOMBIELA
Sebastián Irarrázaval was commissioned with the proposal of a Public Library in Constitución, Chile. The project was promoted under a public-private initiative with the intention of repairing the damage caused to the city by the earthquake and tsunami of February 2010.
In a city with a rich tradition in wood production, this library apears as a symptom of the recovery of this region after the tragedy.
In a city with a rich tradition in wood production, this library apears as a symptom of the recovery of this region after the tragedy.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Urban plan. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Site plan. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Axonometric view. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Axonometric view. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Axonometric view. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Axonometric view. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Axonometric view. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Axonometric view. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Axonometric view. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Ground floor plan. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Roof plan. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Long section. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Long section. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Long section. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Cross section. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Cross section. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Cross section. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Cross section. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Cross section. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Cross section. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Cross section. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Elevation. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Elevation. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Elevation. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Elevation. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Construction, section details. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Construction, section details. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Construction, section details. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Details. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Details. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Details. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Details. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Details. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Details. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Details. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Materials. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Materials. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval. Photograph by Felipe Díaz Contardo.
Construction. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Construction. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Construction. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Construction. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Construction. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Construction. Public Library of Constitución by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
Sebastián Irarrázaval designed the cultural center with the use of a high quality native wood as the dominant material of the building. The prefabricated structure is made of laminated pine wood. It creates a marked rhyhm by keeping visible the beams and pillars.
The library, raised on the ground and with 3 monumental glass façades, allows the user to contemplate the ancient trees of Plaza de Armas across the street. The benches and canopies invite the passerby to sit and relax.
The three main spaces are designed to achieve a balance between light reciving and exterior views. The library becames a landmark for the city, a shelter where the culture resides and gives protection for those who seek it.
The library, raised on the ground and with 3 monumental glass façades, allows the user to contemplate the ancient trees of Plaza de Armas across the street. The benches and canopies invite the passerby to sit and relax.
The three main spaces are designed to achieve a balance between light reciving and exterior views. The library becames a landmark for the city, a shelter where the culture resides and gives protection for those who seek it.
Description of project by Sebastián Irarrázaval
The Public Library is part of a public-private initiative taken to rebuild the city of Constitución after the 8.8 degrees earthquake and tsunami that devastated the town during the year 2010. It is a small settlement situated in the very core of one of the biggest clusters of wood production in Chile. This situation gives identity to the town and also creates the best conditions to find not only high quality wood materials but also extremely well gifted carpenters to carefully craft a wooden building.
With regard to the formalization of the project; it is the result of three main decisions. Firstly: In order to overlook the millenary trees of the civic square that is in front of the site; to rise the library 1,6 meters over street level. Secondly: With the purpose to filter and balance the light; to cover the 3 main areas of the programme (children, young and adult readers) with 3 reticulated wood naves and Thirdly: In consideration to communicate the public character of the edifice; to organize the façade with 3 monumental glass cases that not only invites to see new books arrivals but also -with its benches and canopies - offer shelter to the passerby.
Regarding the construction of the building; it is made almost entirely in wood and only the firewalls are done with exposed poured concrete. The structure is prefabricated and is made out of laminated pine. In order to rhythm the interior space and to make the loads and the construction process understandable, the wood beams an pillars are kept as visible as possible. Coating the wood with water white varnish enhances the required luminosity of the spaces and also creates homogeneity between the structure and the on site built furniture. The other colors that can be seen in fabrics were chosen to mimic the colours of the trees and leaves of the square. In this sense the library can be seen as a resonance box.
More information
Architect
Collaborators
Macarena Burdiles, Carlos Pesquera, Alicia Arguelles, Sebastián Mancera Technical inspection.- Joel Barrera. Structural engineer.- CARGAZ
Client
Promoters.- Fundación la Fuente, Banco ITAU y Fundación Arauco.
Owner.- Municipality of Constitución Municipalidad de Constitución.
Constructor
PROESSA
Area
350.00 m²
Dates
Start project 2011. Completed.- 2015
Location
Oñederra 535, Constitución, Chile.
Photography
Sebastián Irarrázaval
Sebastián Irarrázaval was born in 1967. He was taught as an architect in the Universidad Católica in Santiago de Chile and the Architectural Association in London. In 1993 he set up his own practice in Santiago. In 1999 he receives the AOA (Architecture Offices Association) award to the most outstanding young architect and was awarded at the XVI Architecture Biennial in Chile.
Teaches design studio at the Catholic University of Chile since 1994. Has taught in the MIT in Boston and the IUAV in Venice His projects have been published worldwide in specialized magazines, among them: Casabella, Arquitectura Viva, ARQ, C3 and A+U.
Practice work has being exhibited locally and abroad. Recent exhibitions include XV Chilean Architectural Biennial, Venice Biennale, Shenzhen and Hong Kong bi-city Biennial where he received the public choice award and Milan Triennial where he was commissioned and ideal city for Africa.
Irarrazaval was awarded twice at the WAVE International Workshop held at IUAV in Venice the years 2014 and 2015. This year he was awarded honor at the Wood Design and Buidling Award for the Public Libray of Constitucion Other projects include : Caterpillar House, School of Design of the Catholic University of Chile and the Matta Cultural Centre of the Chilean Embassy in Argentina.
Teaches design studio at the Catholic University of Chile since 1994. Has taught in the MIT in Boston and the IUAV in Venice His projects have been published worldwide in specialized magazines, among them: Casabella, Arquitectura Viva, ARQ, C3 and A+U.
Practice work has being exhibited locally and abroad. Recent exhibitions include XV Chilean Architectural Biennial, Venice Biennale, Shenzhen and Hong Kong bi-city Biennial where he received the public choice award and Milan Triennial where he was commissioned and ideal city for Africa.
Irarrazaval was awarded twice at the WAVE International Workshop held at IUAV in Venice the years 2014 and 2015. This year he was awarded honor at the Wood Design and Buidling Award for the Public Libray of Constitucion Other projects include : Caterpillar House, School of Design of the Catholic University of Chile and the Matta Cultural Centre of the Chilean Embassy in Argentina.
