Masterpieces: Library Architecture + Design, Hardcover Book, By: Manuela Roth

The demands on libraries have increased enormously in the last decade as they have to meet the growing multimedia demands of the 21st century. The institution underwent a real change of image from an introverted store of knowledge to a globally networked information provider and communication broker. The implementation in architecture of this extended requirement profile makes this construction task extremely complex and at the same time very attractive.Whether it is a new building, a renovation or an extension, this volume shows the diversity of this building task in the field of tension between state-of-the-art technology and cultural demands. Using texts, photos and plans, 69 projects from all over the world are presented using texts, plans and photos. From the contents: Philological Library of the Free University of Berlin, Germany (Foster + Partner)Deusto Univesity Library in Bilbao, Spain (Jose Rafael Moneo)Tama Art University Library in Tokyo, Japan (Toyo Ito)Fleet Library at the RISD in Providence, RI , USA (Office dA)Viana do Castelo Library, Portugal (Alvaro Siza)