Studio Farris Architects

City Library Bruges

City Library Bruges
© Tim Van de Velde

CITY LIBRARY BRUGES

Studio Farris Architects

TECHNICAL ENGINEERING
Studiebureau Boydens

MANUFACTURERS
Lighting ETAP, WVH Gevelprojecten

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Planet Engineering

CONTRACTOR
Bouw & Renovatie

PHOTOGRAPHS
Tim Van de Velde, ©Lumecore/Toon Grobet

CLIENT
City of Bruges

AREA
555.0 m²

YEAR
2015

LOCATION
Brugge, Belgium

CATEGORY
Library, Renovation, Extension

Text description provided by architect.

In 2012, Studio Farris Architects won the competition which was organised by the City of Bruges for the renovation and expansion of the Sint-Andries city library.

City Library Bruges
© Tim Van de Velde
City Library Bruges
© Tim Van de Velde

The plot on which the library had to be expanded was very limited in size and located in an urban environment.

The existing library, alongside other public services, was located in a building that’s listed on the inventory of architectural heritage.

City Library Bruges
© Tim Van de Velde
City Library Bruges
© Tim Van de Velde

The request of the client consisted of a complex set of requirements, along with the wish to make the library more visible from the adjacent streets and give it its own identity to make it stand out from the multiplicity of other services located in the existing building.

The extension is subordinate to the main building in terms of dimensions and is visually disconnected from it by its materialisation: the facades are finished in Corten steel panels that contrast with the white plastered facades of the main building.

City Library Bruges
© Tim Van de Velde
City Library Bruges
© Tim Van de Velde

The position of the extension emphasises the tension between the existing heritage building and the new volume.

Large windows are located on the corners of the new volume to give the library the necessary visibility and interaction with its surroundings.

City Library Bruges
© Tim Van de Velde
City Library Bruges
© Tim Van de Velde

Functions such as reading corners, workspaces and the reception desk are located close to these large windows so they benefit from the natural light streaming in.

To create a pleasant atmosphere in the library, 3 different types of windows were used.

Allowing visitors to enjoy natural light throughout the day and seasons.

City Library Bruges
© Tim Van de Velde
City Library Bruges
© Tim Van de Velde


City Library Bruges
Elevation
City Library Bruges
Elevation


City Library Bruges
Diagram

Studio Farris Architects
T +32 3 2376418
Studio Farris Architects
Duboisstraat 43/bus 11, 2060 Antwerpen, Belgium