Central Library Berlin

The leading concept is the topic “carved stone“ – due to its sharp form, few carved out windows and the use of polished concrete, the library forms a timeless landmark with high recognition effect. The concept is also transferred into the interior spaces and the construction by thickening the walls around openings and a general apparent solidity.

The design for the new Central and Regional Library in Berlin involves the combination of various libraries to one metropolitan library next to the existing American Memorial Library. For us the most interesting reason to do this project was the influence of the American Memorial Library on the building of the new Central and Regional Library and the interaction between both buildings, as well as the discussion on the institution Library and its role in the future city and modern society. What kind of building works with American Memorial Library and which issues have to be fulfilled by a modern library?\nThe new Central and Regional Library should neither outshine nor compete with the existing American Memorial Library. Both buildings should have their eligibility as independent and large-scale landmarks and create in combination with the existing buildings a harmonic and modern urbanity.\nThe new Central and Regional Library will be a place for everyone. On the one hand this building should be a place of knowledge by several kind of media, space to work, to learn, to read and to educate. On the other hand it should be also a public and free place, where people of different backgrounds, culture, language, gender or age come together, communicate, exchange ideas or just meet. The aim was, to create an open and flexible, but also timeless building, people can identify with and which also sustains the rapid change in media as well as the city of tomorrow.