Just when you thought that the University of Aveiro had no more surprises left, it opens out its amazingly elegant library for you. As expected, the architect is the genius Álvaro Siza. Whilst designing this marvel, the architect looked into every aspect of the construction. Would this building dialogue with its natural surroundings? Yes it does, Architect Siza, used red brick and limestone to cover its external walls.
And then the façades? What should they speak of? Well, the Library presents different façades; each one has its own story to tell. The western façade, dialogues with the lagoon, with its weeping willows and roosting ducks. (The lagoon always has those ducks, snoozing, swimming vigorously, how I loved them.) A horizontal opening, on the second and third level, allows natural light to sweep in.
The southern façade on the other hand is completely constructed of limestone, with a platform in the shape of an elegant S. Carved on this platform as a puzzle are the words Universidade de Aveiro. The entrance is on this side. A ramp on the eastern side, leads directly to the first level.
But it is the lighting that takes your breath away, much attention and long hours must have been spent on how to light this beautiful library. No more dark corners, the lighting speaks of the youth and vibrancy of the University.
The central areas in the reading rooms are bathed from 24 clerestories in the ceiling. These magical circles reflect diffused daylight onto the lower floors, through large central voids. Vibrancy and dispersion of archaic ideas seems to be the idea of light being showered from above. No direct sunlight, light diffuses inside the building giving it a sense of unity.
The western façade is protected, from direct sunlight, by a free standing sleek, curved wall something like a lampshade. The intention is to allow the people sitting there to savour the magnificent view of the Salinas and the Lagoon stretching on to the horizon. Psssst, nobody sitting here studies, they just drink in the magnificent view. The professors are yet to discover the secret.
The picture like windows of the northern façade, illuminate the central area of the reading rooms on all the levels.
The entire library is pervaded by Light yet it is never harsh, never direct, the entire Library bathed in soothing light.
We were given a guided tour of the Library by a statuesque lady who in addition to being really beautiful had this mellifluous voice.
Of course, Herculano had to say to her, ‘Your husband is a very lucky man; he has a wife with the most beautiful voice’
Of course the lady blushed; of course she walked straighter and taller after a conversation with our very own Ambassador of good relations.
Just in case you are amazed at my knowledge of architecture, come on people would I know a word like ‘clerestories’? My inputs are from Laura Oliva Correia Lemos, Assessor Principal, biblioteca e documentação Universidade de Aveiro.
And then the façades? What should they speak of? Well, the Library presents different façades; each one has its own story to tell. The western façade, dialogues with the lagoon, with its weeping willows and roosting ducks. (The lagoon always has those ducks, snoozing, swimming vigorously, how I loved them.) A horizontal opening, on the second and third level, allows natural light to sweep in.
The southern façade on the other hand is completely constructed of limestone, with a platform in the shape of an elegant S. Carved on this platform as a puzzle are the words Universidade de Aveiro. The entrance is on this side. A ramp on the eastern side, leads directly to the first level.
But it is the lighting that takes your breath away, much attention and long hours must have been spent on how to light this beautiful library. No more dark corners, the lighting speaks of the youth and vibrancy of the University.
The central areas in the reading rooms are bathed from 24 clerestories in the ceiling. These magical circles reflect diffused daylight onto the lower floors, through large central voids. Vibrancy and dispersion of archaic ideas seems to be the idea of light being showered from above. No direct sunlight, light diffuses inside the building giving it a sense of unity.
The western façade is protected, from direct sunlight, by a free standing sleek, curved wall something like a lampshade. The intention is to allow the people sitting there to savour the magnificent view of the Salinas and the Lagoon stretching on to the horizon. Psssst, nobody sitting here studies, they just drink in the magnificent view. The professors are yet to discover the secret.
The picture like windows of the northern façade, illuminate the central area of the reading rooms on all the levels.
The entire library is pervaded by Light yet it is never harsh, never direct, the entire Library bathed in soothing light.
We were given a guided tour of the Library by a statuesque lady who in addition to being really beautiful had this mellifluous voice.
Of course, Herculano had to say to her, ‘Your husband is a very lucky man; he has a wife with the most beautiful voice’
Of course the lady blushed; of course she walked straighter and taller after a conversation with our very own Ambassador of good relations.
Just in case you are amazed at my knowledge of architecture, come on people would I know a word like ‘clerestories’? My inputs are from Laura Oliva Correia Lemos, Assessor Principal, biblioteca e documentação Universidade de Aveiro.
i like your blog but are your colleagues still asleep from the Math lecture?:) i see no feedback!
ReplyDeleteNocticula, my colleagues.......what can I say are satiated from the copious doses of wine and the immense quantities of sardinhas assadas they ate when in Portugal!!
ReplyDeletewow they must be having very slow metabolism and the sardines had so many large chain fatty acids that they are still not able to break them down:) Time for some new enzymes!
ReplyDeleteI was hoping the wine would do the trick....
ReplyDeleteSonia, you write such brilliant stuff. Keep it up !
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr. Dange. Much appreciated!!
ReplyDelete