The Royal Library addition

Sorens Kierkegaards Plads, Indre By

1999

Client: The Ministry of Culture Architect: Schmidt, Hammer & Lassen K/S

The winning proposal in the 1993 international competition was the basis for one of the most
distinctive buildings on the central harborfront. The addition has totally reversed the old library,
whose original building, designed by architect Hans J. Holm and built in 1906, lay peacefully in the
library garden behind the Parliament building. This quiet setting was disturbed in 1968 by architect
Preben Hansen's addition toward the harbor, and the recent addition has radically altered the library
to an institution that both in symbol and reality has become a public display. Architecturally this is
manifested by the enormous, floating mass of polished black granite, which in not just placed on the
edge of the wharf, but almost stoops out over it.

The mass is cut in two by an atrium, which rises through all seven floors, and is bordered by
undulating balconies, from which there is access to the reading rooms and carrels. The entire ground
floor is open to the public and houses, a cafe, restaurant and book store as well as an auditorium
with 400 seats. The administration facilities are on the upper floor around two roof gardens. From
the ground floor of the atrium, two travolators run up to the lending area, which lies on a bridge
across Christians Brygge street. The bridge connects the addition with the older buildings, of which
the one from 1968 is concealed behind the new facades. However, the building from 1906 with its
evocative reading room was restored, and a dramatic connection was created between the library
garden, through the old and new buildings to the harborfront. To the northeast of the black granite
mass there is a two-story building sided with pale sandstone, with a curved form toward Christians
Brygge street. It is the home of several institutions connected with the library. The addition signals,
as one of the most expressive buildings in recent times, a new orientation in terms of architecture as
well as cultural politics. Bibliography: Arkitektur DK 1999,465

Area:
21,000 m² new build
7,000 m² conversion

Construction sum:
€ 49 million excl. VAT

Competition1993,
1st prize in european competition

Status:
Completed in 1999

Engineer:
Moe & Brødsgaard A/S

Interior design:
shldesign
Facoltà di Architettura e Sociatà
A.Y. 2012/2013
THEMATIC STUDIO
Prof. Cocchiarella Luigi , Fara Gaetano , Faroldi Emilio
Group 1 - Joris Katkevicius, Mihai Potra Dragos, Heloie Marie Jacob
Facoltà di Architettura e Sociatà A.Y. 2012/2013 THEMATIC STUDIO Prof. Cocchiarella Luigi , Fara Gaetano , Faroldi Emilio Group 1 - Joris Katkevicius, Mihai Potra Dragos, Heloie Marie Jacob