idhea

The library and informational centre of the Study and Scientific Library in Hradec Králové, with its’ estimated 1300 000 volumes, is situated on the Southern boundary of the historic centre of the city, on the Orlice river bank and opposite the Engineering high school built by architect Gočár. The design aims at the redefinition of the role of a modern library. The library is to become not only a source of information, but also a place to relax and offer a wide spectrum of cultural and social activities. The library erases the boundary between exterior and interior, attracts even the chance passers-by.

The atrium is an important part of the concept. It gives room to calm your mind before you enter the library itself. It is the place of meetings, activities and happenings that can expand into the park in front of the library. The main entrance to the library is in the front part of the atrium. A multimedia panel, enabling projection of information, clips, and films, is hanging above the main entrance to the library.

The terracotta facing of the library is a reaction to the typical raw brick accidence of Hradec Králové, the Gočár’s building of SPŠ for example. The application of the facing, as well as the configuration of the rest of the façade, aims at the impression of facility and airiness.

project:	2003
author:	Dalibor Hlaváček
photography:	Filip Šlapal
model:	Dalibor Hlaváček