neostudio redesigns poznań university of life sciences library in poland

created by polish practice neostudio, the project responds to the university of life sciences in poznań, poland, which desires to expand and rebuild its library complex according to present needs and standards. indeed, the existing architecture is a 40-year-old construction located in the heart of the university campus — with many outdated features such as limited library stocks, restricted height, low visibility and ineffective horizontal composition.

south-west perspective view: a revamped and contemporary design for university student

neostudio‘s proposed design of the added building parts uses existing structures to a maximum extent. as a result, not only does it follow the poznań university‘s functional properties, but also puts a strong emphasis on the library’s role in the everyday life of the campus and city. even more, the characteristics of the project enables the number of library stocks to go from less than 600, 000 volumes to exactly 922, 820 in the whole building. in addition, the functional scheme of the library is enriched with an exhibition hall, buffet and quiet spaces for students.

north-west view: the proposed building would be structured using light construction and materials

the underground floor includes the re-designed department of collection and development, well connected to existing garages for book deliveries. at he same level are located the entrance zone, information booth, small bookshop, quiet zone for students and the exhibition hall with an opening to an outside terrace located on the east side of the plot. nearby,  the buffet can accommodate 48 people with an independent entrance, supply zone and connection to a garden. on the ground floor, the cloakroom and administration zone were also given a revamped design. 

night view: the design of the added parts uses the advantages of existing structure to a maximum extent

on the first floor, all  rooms are rearranged to provide a magazine, essential administrative  zone with the manager’s office in the northern area and a big lecture room with its own backroom. the middle part is dedicated to the accessible collection, which is well connected to the upper reading area by the rounded, representative staircase.  on the other hand, the second floor is an open-space reading room with the remaining available books and magazines. it is complemented by areas designed for individual and group learning, as well as boxes for students who need peace and quiet during work. 

interior view showing the second floor reading space, visually opening up to the first floor administration zone

finally, to meet the demands of the evacuation, the north staircase was rebuilt and the additional one in the southern part was designed. what is more, toilets, backrooms and technical rooms on every floor have been provided, along with elevators and installation systems.

 
exhibition hall alongside the ‘chillout’ zone for students

general view of the existing building

entry view of the existing building

diagram of existing architecture

proposed structural expansion of the library complex

constructing large slopes of glazing, placed on every southern part of the roofing to allow sunlight into the building

zigzagging rooftop design allowing natural light to filther through

project info:

architects: neostudio architekci
authors: bartosz jarosz, paweł świerkowski
cooperation: adrianna fiącek, weronika kurdziałek, tomasz sołtysiak, bartosz wojciechowski
interiors: neostudio architekci
construction: bud-ekspert
client: library of university of life sciences in poznań
site area: 13 095,22 sq.m
building area: 2 031,31 sq.m
usable floor area: 6 729,98 sq.m
total floor area: 8 030,01 sq.m
volume: 33 432,34 cub.m
design period: 2016-2017

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edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom