Identity A library building which was designed
to be replicated throught Israel, in different sites, and different climatic
and urban conditions. Also in different orientations, in terms of sunlight
and ventilation. The decision early on was to use a material common to the
area, the Hevron (or 'Jerusalem') stone, with an accent in the horizontal
joints that would give a familiar finish to almost any location throughout
the country. Then a decision was made to give the building a sense of place
by opening up the reading room with glass, in order to connect to the surrounding
context, and offer the building an interior open air courtyard, as a means
of light and ventilation, and also as a traditional element in the Middle
Eastern architectural vocabulary. The interior colors offer a relaxing palette
of colors that do not compete with the tranquility of reading and learning.
Organization The building has an area of 500 sq. meters,
and is organized in the following areas: entry, offices, auditorium, children's
corner (oval), main reading room and book stacks. All areas in the building
have a strong connection with the outside. The children's oval contains
the cube with the closed areas, while the areas between the cube and the
oval, are the protected courtyards, where children can play outdoors.
Materials Local stone finish on the exterior. Warm natural
materials in the interior. Natural light and a palette of colors that relax
and allow a laid back use of the library.
'Green' design The generic character of the building required
a number of parameters to make this building responsive to climate and energy
use, without compromising the need for openess and connection to the surroundings.
The building makes extensive use of natural light, through openings and
the interior courtyard. It is very well insulated throughout the envelope
and allows for natural ventilation by means of clerestory windows over the
bookstacks. The 'greek' colonade surrounding the reading room curtain wall,
allows for openess and for a shading device of perforated wooden elements,
that, together with the 'green' zone underneath the shading, create a protective
layer around the building: to keep the direct sunlight away in the summer.