elft University Library
1618
ocation: elft, etherlands
Architect: ecanoo Architects
References: Mecanoo, Experimental Pragmatism; Composition Contrast
Complexity; Domus, 1999 Feb. n. 812, p. 22-29
The Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) consists of a
series of large freestanding buildings on a big expanse
of terrain on the edge of the city. The buildings were
designed by Van den Broek & Bakema, both of whom
were also professors in the architecture department
there. The buildings are fairly isolated and lack the
Exterior perspective fro
intimacy of a normal campus. Mecanoo addresses this
issue by creating a structure that does not look like a
building at all from the outside.
The library covers 15,000 square meters with under-
ground storage for books, reading rooms, offices,
archives, exhibition area, study rooms and book
the East
binder’s workshop and bookshop. The ground is folded
slightly upwards creating a gently sloping grassy hill.
The lawn on the roof of the library can be walked on;
and students can sit and relax there when the weather
permits. The same is the case with the steps of the
gently sloping hill by which one enters the building that,
being partly bounded by the back elevation of the
assembly hall, works like a sort of sheltered courtyard.
The only feature that protrudes above the grass is an
enormous white cone that acts as a beacon for the
building especially at night when it is lit up. The cone
gives shape to the round, introverted reading rooms.
They hang from the apex of the cone, giving the hall a
large space free of columns. The cone is a symbol of
technology, but also of a calm and contemplative
nature. The glass side elevations create a subtle sort of
visual rhythm.
Exterior perspective of ase ent entrance Exterior perspective
Elevations
Scale: 1/128”=1’
UTArlington School of Architecture
Page 1 of 4
ELFT UNIVERSITY LIBRARYY: ENT STUPRECE
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