Consolidated with space

Consolidated with space

Giesberts, T.

Engels, J.F. (mentor)
Ravesloot, C.M. (mentor)
Hermans, W.J.A. (mentor)

Architecture

Interior Design

Technology in Sustainable Development

2002-12-20

Library in Delft railway zone On the perception of internal and external urban spaces Alongside Delft's historic core lies a 60-metre-wide street, Phoenixstraat, which is only used for infrastructure. Two tracks cross the visually defining railway viaduct. These will be joined by a further two in the future. The council has plans for a railway tunnel. I want to add more to these. Being given a design that enriches the urban fabric by consolidating it with public functions, the Phoenixstraat area will once more be in a position to generally serve locals and visitors alike. One such function is the public library. The view of Delft from the train has an orientating, qualifying effect, as does the perceived presence of the trains in the city. You can feel the unknown horizons in the distance. I wish to preserve this perception and not roof over the tunnel but leave it open and widen it. Consequently the tray will contain not only four tracks but also new functions such as parking, a new undulating ground plane for an urban park, a museum and the library. For centuries openness and expanse have defined the profile of Phoenixstraat as urban periphery. This openness marks a boundary for those emerging from the small-scale historic core. By parking the added functions below ground, this sense of space is preserved. They do register above ground at times as buildings in the string of ancient landmark buildings indicating where the edge of town used to be, such as the windmill. A public library is an urban living room more than anything else. But of course it also contains valuable books and information. In order to enter the world of books you have to cross a threshold and make a descent. Downstairs among the book collections below the new landscape it's just you and the books. There is daylight down there but there are no views out. The only relationship with the world outside is the one with the trains. In the study areas and workplaces, on the other hand, views out can be a source of tranquillity and relaxation. These functions are consequently housed in upward-thrusting glass volumes. In principle there are views on all sides here but the amount of privacy and incident light can be individually regulated using cloth screens. Hatches in front of the south-west facade clarify the relationship between sunlight and heat and between shade and coolness. Another take on views out has been elaborated in the reading room. Opening a hatch inwards in the wooden facade gives a framed view; a personal workplace where you can concentrate.

library
multi-functionality
density

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:0502c1a5-85a6-41f1-bdfd-938aab1e840a

Student theses

master thesis

(c) 2002 Giesberts, T.