Inside-Out

The city of Varna Library

BUILDING FACTS

  • Ground Level Built-up Area : 2,960sm
  • Total Built-up Area of The Overground Levels: 18,600sm
  • Total Area of Landscape : 5,050sm
  • Number of parking spots : 277 Designated Parking area.
Perspective toward the main entrance

DESIGN CONCEPT

The new library is a testament to Varna’s embrace of knowledge, a central repository that brings together the wisdom scattered across six different buildings within the city. This transformative project aims to provide an extensive array of services, all in the heart of Varna.

The site chosen for this design is unique, defined by specific building boundaries that present a compelling challenge. The restrictions on building height, intended to safeguard neighboring properties’ access to sunlight, have, rather intriguingly, led to a distinctive roof shape. These pre-existing constraints have taken on the form of natural design elements, harmonizing seamlessly with Varna’s ever-changing weather, offering shelter during rainy and snowy seasons. Embracing these limitations has been a fundamental aspect of our design process.

In addition to respecting the predefined boundaries, we’ve sought to enhance the library’s accessibility and openness. Our aim is to cultivate an environment that resonates with the city and beckons its citizens. We’ve meticulously designed every architectural element to ensure that the library meets its diverse requirements, from practicality to aesthetics.

Site Plan

The focal point of our design is a captivating storage area, a brilliant showcase that captures the essence of a library. Encompassing roughly 5,000 square meters, this main storage facility is ingeniously split between the 5th and 5.5th floors, with approximately 80% of this space allocated for books. The remainder, although less frequently accessed by the public, is situated at the building’s core, where it stands as a symbol of the library’s identity and a true breakthrough in library design.

Complementing this major design element, the building’s structure is thoughtfully distributed vertically above ground, aligning itself with the predetermined boundaries. The library takes on a monolithic appearance, adorned with horizontal white structural metal fins and perforated panels. These panels are placed in a random yet strategic manner to diffuse direct sunlight, creating comfortable reading areas while effectively blocking unwanted western sunlight.

Our design extends even below ground, where parking facilities coexist with the showcased storage core. This feature not only illuminates the underground realm but also immerses visitors in the library’s essence as they drive down to park their vehicles. Above ground, the library’s space is organized vertically, with the ground floor serving as the main entrance lobby and the 1st floor as the events lobby. Office floors span three levels: the 1st, 1.5th, and 2nd floors. Staff members have a separate access route to the storage core for loading and unloading, keeping public circulation distinct from logistical operations.

In the grand tapestry of Varna’s cityscape, our design breaks free from the conventional bounds of a library. By prominently exhibiting the stored books to the public, we engage with the municipality of Varna on a monumental scale. This design serves as a bold architectural statement, introducing a contemporary landmark to the city’s skyline. We believe it encapsulates the spirit of Varna’s dynamic future while paying homage to its rich history.

Approach Diagram

Design Process

Perspectives

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