3.2 Architectural interventions
Let’s see how this could be implemented in concrete terms. The isometrical images above show the actual conversion measures for all floors. Graphic 1 depicts the current state of the building, the bookshelves in purple, individual workstations in orange. It is striking that the internal organization is defined almost exclusively by these two functions. This dual spatial program results in a correspondingly limited offer of possible activities. Additionally, the library today is a space provided with stringent rules and norms. In this sense, it is also hierarchical and unfolds only small degrees of freedom. The whole space is construed around the medium of the book: how to store it and how to work with it. Now, to see what other usages could be conceived when the primary status of the book is left out, we first must radically clear the space to then fill it with digit-based new functions. Graphic 2 accordingly shows the empty library. Only the mere structure is left so that a new digital reorganization can follow. In the next graphic, we see the proposed redesigning measures in red. Only small interventions are intended: A new entrance will be added to open up the main hall to the surrounding urban space. The front staircase will be extended with bigger steps for seating so that it converts into a meeting point with representative quality. A smaller room is added at the back of the ground floor where collective VR-experiences are facilitated through big LED-walls. All the remaining interventions otherwise are light-built glass walls that will function as partitioning walls for acoustic insulation. Graphic 4 provides an overview of the bookshelves that will return into the building. Only the most used and required books are supposed to stay in the actual Ideathek space itself. The rest will be moved to a nearby storage space, from where they can easily be ordered if needed physically. The room thus freed up will be filled with other furniture, as graphic 5 shows. We'll come back to their purpose and function in a moment.
The general goal in the conversion was not to make big interventions that drastically transform the building. My approach works with what is already there and keeps the changes at a minimum. It’s about “reprogramming” the space. Or put another way: how can minimal 'hardware' changes create maximal 'software' improvements?
Let’s see how this could be implemented in concrete terms. The isometrical images above show the actual conversion measures for all floors. Graphic 1 depicts the current state of the building, the bookshelves in purple, individual workstations in orange. It is striking that the internal organization is defined almost exclusively by these two functions. This dual spatial program results in a correspondingly limited offer of possible activities. Additionally, the library today is a space provided with stringent rules and norms. In this sense, it is also hierarchical and unfolds only small degrees of freedom. The whole space is construed around the medium of the book: how to store it and how to work with it. Now, to see what other usages could be conceived when the primary status of the book is left out, we first must radically clear the space to then fill it with digit-based new functions. Graphic 2 accordingly shows the empty library. Only the mere structure is left so that a new digital reorganization can follow. In the next graphic, we see the proposed redesigning measures in red. Only small interventions are intended: A new entrance will be added to open up the main hall to the surrounding urban space. The front staircase will be extended with bigger steps for seating so that it converts into a meeting point with representative quality. A smaller room is added at the back of the ground floor where collective VR-experiences are facilitated through big LED-walls. All the remaining interventions otherwise are light-built glass walls that will function as partitioning walls for acoustic insulation. Graphic 4 provides an overview of the bookshelves that will return into the building. Only the most used and required books are supposed to stay in the actual Ideathek space itself. The rest will be moved to a nearby storage space, from where they can easily be ordered if needed physically. The room thus freed up will be filled with other furniture, as graphic 5 shows. We'll come back to their purpose and function in a moment.
The general goal in the conversion was not to make big interventions that drastically transform the building. My approach works with what is already there and keeps the changes at a minimum. It’s about “reprogramming” the space. Or put another way: how can minimal 'hardware' changes create maximal 'software' improvements?