aerial view

© Modistudio_associati . Pubblicata il 13 Febbraio 2007.

The Stockholm City Library demands a strong public and iconic role.

aerial view

© Modistudio_associati . Pubblicata il 13 Febbraio 2007.

The historical and landscape value of the site can be merged in a proposal that while reinforcing the architectural composition of the complex offers new possibilities to enjoy the library and its surroundings.

The project follows the natural topography of the slope of the Observatory hill, leading to levels with differentiated terraces.

By terracing the level of the new library we can reduce the impact and the depth of the new volume on the historical site and we can differentiate the areas and the sections giving more attraction to the users to go through the internal spaces of the building.

A new covered plaza between the Asplund Library and the Annex 1 will introduce to the architectural promenade that will lead at the end to the top of the promontory hill, giving accessibility and vitality to this landscaped amazing viewpoint.

The proposal saves the actual structure of the site, including all the 3 annexes and the Asplund Library in the new city Library. We moved back as much as possible the new volumes toward the slope of the hill, leaving the ancient buildings to breath. The project involves all the elements of the site, to return to the city a new design unity.

The historical presence of the Asplund library is the iconic cultural symbol of the city, while the new library goes into the empty spaces between the building and the hill.

The new library embraces the hill, than sloping down towards the crowded Odengatan street, reinforcing the relationship between this different parts of the city, and giving more attraction to the complex.