RESEARCH
Sainte-Geneviève Library
24 / 07 / 2020
The library was built between the years 1838 and 1850. It was intended to be a fireproof, free standing public library for the former abbey of Sainte-Geneviève. For this project, Labrouste had to divide his focus between the logistical concerns of book storage and the attempt to develop new symbolism for a new library that still fit in with the surrounding urban fabric. After many preliminary sketches and plans, he decided to create a double-barrel vaulted ceiling for the room, reminiscent of the central colonnade of the Greek civic space in Paestum. The cast-iron, Greek-like columns are tall and thin, and curve at the top to receive the iron, Gothic-inspired arches. The many windows, along with the terracotta panels on the ceiling that serve to reflect light, contribute to the room being a luminous and sought-after space for readers. Although the curved iron trusses were a structural component of the building, they also served an important ornamental function, this was the first major public building that utilized an exposed iron skeleton for aesthetic purposes. Labrouste successfully devised a modern interpretation of old traditions, celebrating industrial materials with the ushering in of the new industrial era, while applying them to a modernized adaptation of Greek and Gothic styles. Now, the library contains around 2 million documents, and currently is the principal inter-university library for the different branches of University of Paris, and is also open to the public.
RESEARCH
Sendai Mediatheque
24 / 07 / 2020
The mediatheque is a prototypical building typology that is not attuned to one set specific program. Rather a system capable of meeting any and all programmatic conditions that might arise through uncompromising transparency and openness. It has six aspects of consideration for the design:
Multifunctionality: Meet the needs of all the required institutional functions. Art: Support ongoing regional exhibitions. Data Media [books]: A place for searching of information. Operations: The unification of previously separate operations. Urbanism: Creation of a focal point for the city. Design Competition: Focus on highly transparent and open methods.
The mediatheque is comprised of three basic architectural elements: plates [floors] tubes [columns] and skin [facade].
The entire building has Six steel-ribbed slabs, each 15-3/4" thick, appear to float from the street, supported by only thirteen vertical steel lattice columns that stretch from ground plane to the roof. This striking visual quality that is one of the most identifiable characteristics of the project is comprable to large trees in a forest, and function as light shafts as well as storage for all of the utilities, networks and systems. The four largest tubes are situated at the corners of the plates, which serve as the principle means of support and bracing. Five of the nine smaller tubes are straight and contain elevators, while the other four are more crooked and carry the ducts and wires. The tree-like nature of the metal columns of the Mediatheque are continuous with the natural surroundings of the area, as the design is found on a street lined with trees.
The building changes along with the seasons, it's openness reflective of the summer green and also the streets during winter.
TEAMWORK
27 / 07 / 2020
Chava Yeung
Sofia Ramirez
Liam Katsos
Yongyan Jin
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State library of victoria's TImeline
