The New Brixen Public Library by Carlana Mezzalira Pentimalli

The project consists of the construction of a unitary complex which includes a new building and the restorantion and annexation of the existing buildings of the Ex Finance, a portion of the Ex Court (the first two levels) and of the Ex Prison (part of the ground floor and first floor). The intervention is completed by the redefinition of the existing external spaces, two pedestrian access areas to the north and south of the Ex Finance building, and the garden adjacent to Via Bruno, which was once private and owned by the Bishop.

Planting itself silently and extremely respectfully into its surroundings, the intervention is located south of the Ex Court, in the void generated between two existing buildings, where, before the demolition, there was a lot belonging to the Diocese. A real connecting infrastructure, the new building behaves structurally like a “tree” that leans its cement “branches” towards the buildings of the Ex Finance and the Ex Court, establishing a perpetual relationship between new and old, and inspiring the architects to rename the project, “Kulturbaum, tree of culture”.

Photo © Marco Cappelletti

The analogy continues on a planimetric level, dictated by the need for great flexibility and adaptability of the spaces of a contemporary public library. Far from adopting the classic shelving system, the building has a double perimeter shell located between the external concrete walls and the wooden paneling that covers the interiors, and which houses most of the serving spaces: from the vertical distribution to the toilets, to the furniture with bookcases, fixed benches, tables, and more.

This “cortex” envelops the space, completely freeing it from any functional obligation. The versatility of the environments has also guided the intended management and use of the library. By controlling some strategic access points, in fact, the complex can be completely or partially permeable to the different floors. In this way, both the buildings and the related external appurtenances serve as independent elements to be used autonomously, to perform multiple functions and events at different times.

Photo © Marco Cappelletti

The connections that are created between the new building and the existing buildings are tangible and fulfill formal, functional and distributive needs. The new building is the result of a mass that deforms through contractions and dilations in order to recompose itself according to the surrounding stereometries. Far from self-referencing, the complex changes as if it were a sensitive organism that continuously adapts to the needs of the site and the project.

To resolve the minor differences in elevation between the three buildings, the new “branches” compensate for the changes in elevation through slight slopes. The new volume contains two vertical links with different characteristics. The closed fire escape, in addition to serving all floors of the courthouse as an emergency exit, also acts as a staircase that connects the ground floor with the attic of the new building. The open staircase has been positioned barycentrically with respect to the functional masses that develop along the various levels.

Photo © Marco Cappelletti

It facilitates quick connections between the floors, inviting those who walk through it to enjoy glimpses of the new spatiality. Compositionally and functionally, both staircases are incorporated into the “cortex”, while the pre-existing Ex Finance staricase is mainly intended for service use. Total continuity is guaranteed between the exteriors, enhanced by the insertion of tailored furnishing elements, and the interiors of the new library, intended to perform as a true public space. Entering the new building is like stepping into a portion of the city center.

Access to the new building is from the ground floor through the infotheque. From here, a generous quadruple height space, occupied by the reception area, grants access to the lifts. To the south, there is a newspaper library that can be made independent, ensuring excellent flexibility. On the first floor, the fiction area is designed as an open space which provides access — through a second reception area — to the activities located in the Ex Court and Ex Finance or to the upper floors via a staircase and lift.

Photo © Marco Cappelletti

The second floor is mainly occupied by the non-fiction / treatise area, which directly connects to the Ex Finance building, extending this function. On the third floor, an additional reception area acts as a junction between the multipurpose room and the literary events area. Toilets, cleaning rooms, storage areas and information desks are evenly distributed on the various levels. The renovation of the other existing buildings has enhanced their ancient character and their high degree of flexibility to accommodate different activities open to the public.

The Ex Finance building is configured as an access point to the new intervention with the main front facing Piazza Duomo. On the ground floor there is an infotheque, a borrow and return area, and cloakroom spaces. The first floor houses the internal offices of the library, while the second and third floors host spaces for non-fiction and treatises and a multipurpose room. The ground floor of the Ex Court building mainly houses service areas: automated warehouses, the area for checking the 24 h borrow and return area, an external counter, toilets and technical rooms.

Photo © Marco Cappelletti

The first floor ecompasses the children’s area, the kids’ area, music department with archive, playroom and a multipurpose room. The entrance is located on the first floor from the south of the building, the children’s area is situated on the east side of the corridor, while the playroom is on the west. Continuing along the corridor, before the frescoes room, the multipurpose room is located to the east and the music archive to the west. To the north, the children’s area is housed in a more secluded setting, with two independent rooms and a large area that can also be divided with furniture containing books and games.

In the Ex Prison building, a passage gallery and an adjacent ancillary room have been built. Special attention has been paid to natural lighting, which is essential not only for reading, but also for the maintenance and conservation of books. The south wall of the building, devoid of interesting views, is deliberately blind to prevent the entry of direct light, and equipped on the inside with a “bookcase wall” that occupies the entire height of the building. This continuous boiserie, which becomes the library’s manifesto as a treasure chest of knowledge. Source by Carlana Mezzalira Pentimalli.

Photo © Marco CappellettiLocation: Piazza Duomo 4, Brixen, ItalyArchitect: Carlana Mezzalira PentimalliPrincipal: Michel Carlana, Luca Mezzalira, Curzio PentimalliProject Team: Michel Carlana, Luca Mezzalira, Curzio Pentimalli, Marco Carraro, Alessio OlivieroGeneral Project Direction: Carlana Mezzalira Pentimalli, 3M EngineeringProject And Management Of Structures, Systems, Fire-Fighting Systems And Security Coordination: BergmeisterElectric System, Safety, Lighting: Leitner ElectroHydro-Thermal-Sanitary And Mechanical System: Ranzato ImpiantiLighting Consultant: Von Lutz Studio AssociatesAcoustic Consultant: NiRa Consulting (project phase), Studio Architetto Eleonora Strada (construction phase)Contractor: UnionbauClient: Comune di Bressanone (BZ)GFA: 3.013 sqm (gross area of the project), 2.378 sqm (gross area of the lot)Cost: 7.056.260,80 €Completion: 2022Photographs: Marco Cappelletti, Courtesy of Mint ListPhoto © Marco CappellettiPhoto © Marco CappellettiPhoto © Marco CappellettiPhoto © Marco CappellettiPhoto © Marco CappellettiPhoto © Marco CappellettiPhoto © Marco CappellettiPhoto © Marco CappellettiPhoto © Marco CappellettiPhoto © Marco CappellettiGround Floor PlanSection

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Generated by Feedzy
error

Enjoyed Archinews Daily? Please spread the word :)