Delphinium -

The New Stockholm City Library

Respecting the existing library of Asplund as a major

architectonic heritage the main part of the new
library is located in distance. By defining a light
screen the new library functions as a horizon / back-
drop and tries at the same time to conciliate between
the south-west corner of Odengatan with its taller
buildings from the 1960s and the beautiful solitaire
by Asplund. Among the two a low entrance building is
establishing an inner connection between the old and
the new library through the basement. Simultane-
ously it picks up the tectonic theme of a base with a
roof terrace as Asplund´s library does and connects
old and new also visually. The apparent grassland and
trees on the roof continue discernable the green
slope of the observatory hill and open up the gaze
towards the ridge and its silhouette. The new main
entrance with its slightly curved shape welcomes all
visitors at Odengatan.
View from Sveavägen (b)

Site plan 1:500

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O d e n g a t a n

DELPHINIUM 001
 The library and the ridge

By cutting the new library into the ridge of the hill

the intention is to clarify and extend the urban and
topographical situation and to accent qualities of
the ridge. This seems to be a contradiction yet as a
result building and topography are not only joined
to overlap each other but to become an interwoven
entity. The circular intersection at top of the hill is
arranged as a space between inside and outside.
It plays a basic role not only by welcoming visitors
of the library coming from the observatory and
other educational establishments, as for example
the Royal Institute of Technology, but also by allow-
ing the park to flow through the two volumes con-
tinuously. Thus the historical use of Observatory
Hill as a campus for various educational institutions
will be traced symbolizing a district of knowledge
and education in Stockholm.

View from Odengatan (c)

Asplund’s sketch
Odenhallen [market]
1926

Asplund’s sketch
Base of Public Library
1928

11

25
9 6

10
Gunnar Asplund
Public Library
with University Building
on Observatorielunden
9
9 1928

02

10
25
14 Asplunds design moves
5
very close to the Obser-
3 vatory with a dominating
volume on top of the hill -
1 intending to define a
strong sign for the a new
campus of education in
Stockholm.
Entrance Level +1 1:500

According to the topography of the Stockholm Ridge,

which is an important characteristic feature in the
city landscape of Stockholm, an inner landscape of
public and semi public space sequences is formed
15 to create a new path down the hill. The different
levels are thereby connected through stairs, hollows
and three cores for circulation. Visual and physical
relations from one floor to the other are defined by
light circular “stair wells”, which guide the visitor
11 through the entire library. Their glazed walls func-
mediaflow

25
tion at the same time occasionally as display cabi-
8
6 net or book shelf and invariably as a strong light
source caused by their translucency. At the end of
7
each path visitors are reaching information desks of
the different departments. Down at the hill the
bright entrance hall facing Odengatan with News -,
Market - and Learning Zone is guiding the visitor
either to the Asplund Library or to the inner enclosed
11
13 11 garden, which leads the view back to the passed
8 2

greenery of the ridge. The Entrance Hall itself is

25
10 composed to correspond with the new social desires
12
01
of a public library. It becomes an open place where
8 03
1 children, adults and the elderly can approach a new
12 4 3
mediaflow 14 interactive vitality within the city of Stockholm.

Connection between Asplund Library and new City Library Level -1/+1 1:500

DELPHINIUM 002
 Level +9 1:500

21

25 25 25

void Level +8 1:500

Entrance Hall: Stair towards Reading Hall (01)

void

12
24
10

void

Colours / internal orientation

void Level +7 1:500

12 10 In principle the library is designed with white and
void
11 light spaces to define a harmonic unity. According
to that all furniture’s and other spatial investiga-
22 tions will be adjusted to keep the atmosphere calm
23
and clear. However the orientation inside the
library will be supported by a discreet colour-
management, which is introduced at the map at
the vestibule. One colour will be significant for one
void Level +6 1:500 subject. For example at each department informa-
12
void
22
tion desks and group rooms are enclosed by
void coloured glass panels. In addition the colors of
sofas will function as visual signals.
void

12 Level +5 1:500
19
Entrances
20 19

10
The new main entrance at Odengatan is easily
void
24
accessible for disabled people from a drop off
parking place within 10m. At Sveavägen an addi-
tional entrance is defined in context with the
entrance of the Swedish Institute of Children’s
Level +4 1:500 Books. A separate staff entrance with roofed bicy-
24
cle parking is provided at Gyldengatan, which is

20
also connected to the car parking below. Further-
more there are four more side entrances for the
void void 22 public library: at top of the observatory hill, at foot
of the hill near the end of Gyldengatan, at the
entrance hall towards the inner garden and one at
the crossing point between the park of Sveavägen

11 Level +3 1:500
and the new library complex, which is leading
18
through the café.
10
20

void

Logistics
11

21
Level +2 1:500
void The media flows from the old library through the
21 21 21
basement above the metro tunnel underneath the
15 10
entrance hall to the new library along the facade of
Odengatan. The Media Management, Caretaker’s
04
24
Office and the Sorting Machine is planned to be at
11
level +1 and +2 of the new library, while the land-
ing platform with the unloading area will be at level

1 Main Entrance Hall

-1 through Odengaraget.
Level -1 1:500
2 News Zone
3 Exhibition / Entrance Hall / Market Zone
4 Learning Zone
5 Young People
6 Cafe
7 Restaurant
8 Swedish Institute od Children’s Books
9 Children’s Fiction
10 Information
11 Side Entrance
12 Studios / Group Rooms
13 Cinema
14 Borrow / Return
15 Madia Management / Sorting
16 Logistic Center / Loading
17 Ventilation / Heating Technology
18 Big Lecture Hall
19 Exhibition / Workshops
20 Depository
21 Administration / Staff
22 Children Unit
23 Loggia
24 Visit-oriented Activities
25 Green Patios

15 15 16 17 17

View towards Learning Zone I from upper gallery (02)

DELPHINIUM 003
View of the Entrance Hall (03)

* Please note:
*
The new library has a height of 32 m,
which is deliberately slightly lower
than the Asplund library with 35 m.

SVENSK A BARNBOKSINSTITUTET

East Elevation 1:500

West Elevation 1:500

DELPHINIUM 004

Imaginary Landscape
Our proposal interrelates zones rather than
forming a strongly hierarchical circulation
pattern. The multiplicity arising from the
forms of these relationships between the
main areas permits an immediate variety
of access and movement within the differ-
ent floor levels. The idea behind is to open
up a flexible usage of each area and to
form at the same time a strong identity
within the space by the glazed round
partitions and walls, which reflect a soft
and tender light towards the study areas,
carrels and shelves. The design tries to
modify aspects of Asplunds architecture
F
Circulation / topographical landscape
Section diagram 1:500
E
F
North elevation 1:500
into a contemporary language such as his
understanding of light, modesty and sim-
plicity. Yet by choosing a completely differ-
ent material - glazed volumes with prints
of white or translucent leave ornaments of
delphinium - the poetic and monumental
language of Asplund is transformed into a
dissolving image of light. The chosen
ornament which is based on the transfor-
mation of a photography by Karl Blossfeldt
(Delphinium, larkspur - part of a leaf dried
on a stem, 1942) repeats the flow of circu-
lar movements, which is initial for the
entire design concept of the project. The
D
C
Indoor communication / accessibility
Because of the shifting circular space sequences
a comprehensible longitudinal section could not
be developed. Instead a diagram of the conceptual
idea of the vertical connection is shown beside
and in addition to that a series of cross sections,
which define the position of voids, stairs and
diagonal view connections throughout the build-
ing. The visitor will be lead naturally through the
building from stair to stair, but for busy or disabled
people three cores are provided to find a short cut
F-F
way up to the top floors. In general all areas and
floors - including the connection between Asplund
Library and the New Entrance Zone - are easily
approachable for disabled people. The only excep-
tion are some parts of the first Learning Zone at
the terraced Entrance Hall. However the second
and third Learning Zone at the first floor/Reading
Hall and the gallery are fully accessible.
Reading Hall Level +1 (04)
E-E
Outdoor Areas
abstract alterations of a circle into frag- The entrance building is enclosing an inner garden
D-D
mented surge like spaces allow to define which is extending the natural park landscape down
floating space sequences with an inter- the hill. Its open meadow functions as a quiet place
change of enclosed and open areas and surrounded by light trees, granite rocks and plants
will be reflected by the semi-transparent like fern, woodruff, spring flowers and spread out
ornament on the facade. Naturally the play fields of light blue delphinium in summer . Facing
with circular fragments tries to respond on south it provides the possibility of reading outside.
the circular and semi-circular spaces of At cold seasons visitors are viewing from the sur-
Asplund in a contemporary way and we rounding spaces of the library like the News Zone
believe that this flow and dissolution of and the intimate spaces of the Learning Zone or the
space by concave and convex shapes Café towards the calm atmosphere of the natural
replies to the needs and transformations environment. The inner garden is continued by the
of a coeval library today. roof landscape of the entrance building, which is a
public space providing a short cut between Sveavä-
C-C
gen and Odengatan. The gentile moved topography
of the roof is crossed by footpathes and overgrown
with xerophytic plants and birches. Additionally
there are enclosed patios – at the bazaar buildings
of Asplund and at the top level of the new library
with the management and staff section. The green
patios illuminate not only the innermost areas with
daylight but evoke a pleasant and released ambi-
bŒOb¡Ûܼ¼|b¸¼|n†±¼|b´œbO8†O††bO¼Œn«,|b
Source of Stockholm” is surrounding a circular
shaped loggia, which allows to overview the city
landscape while sitting outside in the sun.
B
B-B
Cross section sequence
1:500
A-A
DELPHINIUM 005
Metro routing / foundations Facade Long-term sustainibility

The Stockholm Metro tunnel passes diagonally The volume is wrapped in flat printed glass, creat- The Climate analysis for Stockholm points out, that In addition daylight controlled artificial lighting,
underneath the new entrance building and the ing a semi-transparent building. The ornament of Stockholm has limited solar gains, but a high natu- wind supported ventilation/earth ducts for pre-
adjacent corner of the new main library building. delphinium as described before [see text “Imagi- ral cooling potential. Limited maximal temperatures heating/precooling and a roof integrated photo-
The facade of the main library consists of solid nary Landscape”] functions as filter, while the and the east-west position of the new library limit voltaic system will support our aims to optimize the
walls on top of the location of the tunnel (level -1 graduation of the dot-matrix varies. Behind the the summer problem on solar shading. The psycho- thermal and visual comfort for occupants. The
and level +1). These walls can be used as shear glass are translucent, curved walls, bookshelves, metric chart shows that humidity is not a problem minimized energy consumption for conditioning
walls, cantilevering out over the tunnel section. stairs and opaque sunscreens made of fabric. and that the main wind directions is frontal to the and the minimized electricity consumption for
Foundations of the main library building in the These different components will achieve a differen- building West façade. lighting, ventilation, appliances as well as the reuse
tunnel vicinity can thus be avoided. tiated and fluctuating appearance, even though the Our approach for a low energy/high comfort library of building structure will achieve an energy
The entrance building is a very light structure with surfaces seem to be cohesive and quiet from includes an optimized building envelop by reduced efficient design and will increase the degree of
small foundation loads. The inner circle wall of the distance. transmission losses through a triple glazed facade self-sufficiency.
entrance building however intersects the curved Opaque facade at the entrance building: Insulating with internal shading, which optimizes the daylight
tunnel layout twice, all the time at least 1,5 m glass panels with translucent capillary inlays. supply by controlled solar gains. A basic displace- Electricity and air supply
above the tunnel. Therefore the design of the Capillary glasses distinguish themselves through ment ventilation system for maximal ventilation
entrance building is following the grade of the excellent thermal insulation and light dispersion. efficiency will be provided through The space currently used to supply the metro with
tunnel by a terraced space sequence. There is The capillary tubules in their inside act as small air electricity (the transformer station), located at the
sufficient space between tunnel ceiling and the cushions and prevent convection of gases in the - Ventilation system with sensible and latent south-west corner of the Asplund building, will be
entrance building base to provide bridging frames inter-pane cavity. The transparent opening at Oden- heat recovery system kept, while the upper section of the pressure
for the foundation of the circle wall, consisting of gatan serves as an open layer between inside and - Radiation based heating/cooling system by equalisation shaft will be slightly sidewards reposi-
reinforced concrete beams and piles on both sides outside introducing a communicative relationship. activated slabs or plaster tioned so that it will be integrated in the new
of the tunnel. In the intermediate spaces, the Pedestrians can view inside the library while a big - Natural cooling through geothermal energy entrance building. The design of the shaft will
entrance building base plate will be cantilevering digital display at the right edge of the window piles become part of the public and accessable roof
out over the tunnel. announces the main activities of the library. - Geothermal heat pump system for heating landscape.

Delphinium (Karl Blossfeldt)

Larkspur, part of a dried leaf | Rittersporn, Teil eines trockenen Blattes
Dauphinelle, pied-d’aluoette, fragment d’une feuille desséchée, 6x

Independent to these two constructions

there is control over translucence and
visuality through the two print-layers:

Floor ventilation

System 1
Triple glazed window panel:
Float glass
Outer print matrix
UV-protection
Insulating glass
Inner print matrix
Float glass

Fabric sunscreens

Floor ventilation

System 2
Triple glazed window panel:
Float glass
Outer print matrix
UV-protection
light diffusing insulating capillary glass
Inner print matrix
Float glass

Fabric sunscreens
Facade matrix Facade with Loggia at 6th floor 1:200 Facade aperture Conceptional detail 1:50

Aerial view (a) Window at north-east corner with information system (p)

DELPHINIUM 006
 Betu

Galium odoratum

Dryopteris filix-mas

Dryopteris filix-mas

Anemone blanda

Children’s Fict
ion

Story
Telling Cafe
Information B

Toplight
Staff
Information A

Toplight

Link to Delphinium consolida

New Library

Children’s Fict
ion
Sofa
Playing

C h i l d
r e n ’ s
F i c t i
Drawing o n

Drawing

Information
A So
fa

B
Back Office Story
Telling
Studio
Print Pram Park Toplight
Learning Zone
Link to New Li 2/
brary Young People

Borrow + Retu
rn Lockers

Exhibition Spac Group Room

Coffee e

Floor Plan 1:200

Section 1:200

DELPHINIUM 007
 Osmunda regalis
Area Specifications
LIBRARY FUNCTIONS MUA GFA

Administration / Staff 1.326 m² 1.578 m² 2.282 m²

Nature and Technology 252 m²

Level 9
Osmunda regalis
Prunus Subhirtella Pendula
Nature and Technology 1.581 m² 1.737 m² 1.930 m²
Visit Oriented Activities 156 m²

Prunus Subhirtella Pendula Level 8

Entrance / Foyer III 287 m² 1.783 m² 2.126 m²

Nature and Technology 1.180 m²
Nature and Technology / Children 216 m²
tula pendula Betula pendula Visit Oriented Activities 100 m²
Level 7
Betula pendula
Betula pendula
Nature and Technology 1.817 m² 2.058 m² 2.314 m²
Visit Oriented Activities 97 m²
Peoples and Countries / Children 144 m²
Prunus Subhirtella Pendula Level 6

Betula pendula Arts 1.713 m² 2.274 m² 2.554 m²

Arts / Children 111 m²
Galium odoratum Visit Oriented Activities 96 m²
Prunus Subhirtella Pendula
Level 5 Exhibition 90 m²
Depository / Media 264 m²
Media Management
Visit Oriented Activities 769 m² 1.285 m² 1.693 m²
Studios 70 m²
Osmunda regalis
Foreign Languages 75 m²
Llevel 4 Foreign Languages / Children 123 m²
Depository / Media 248 m²

ers
pap
ws
Entrance / Foyer II 367 m² 1.865 m² 2.252 m²

Ne
Foreign Languages 874 m²
Auditorium 316 m²
Level 3 Depository / Media 235 m²
Staff 73 m²
Osmunda regalis

s
ical
Learning Zone 536 m² 1.984 m² 2.594 m²

iod
Foreign Languages 135 m²

Per
Media Management/ Sorting 1.180 m²
Level 2 Visit Oriented Activities 45 m²
Dryopteris filix-mas Anemone albadura Staff 88 m²

Entrance / Foyer I 889 m² 3.731 m² 4.947 m²

s
paper
News 314 m²
Learning Zone 1.115 m²

News
Pteridium aquilinum Visit Oriented Activities 36 m²
Young People 368 m²
Cafe 191 m²
Exhibition / Lecture Hall 143 m²
Media Management 675 m²
Anemone blanda Betula pendula

News Zone

Periodicals

Delphinium andersonii
rs
Search Compute

Entrance Hall 271 m² 1.646 m² 2.225 m²

Children 1.078 m²
Anemone nemorosa
Exhibition 166 m²
Staff 131 m²
s
puter
h Com
ne
Searc
s Zo
New

Delphinium consolida
Level 1

Delphinium geraniifolium
Media Management 425 m² 823 m² 1.915 m²
Copy
Logistic Center 398 m²
s
per
spa
New
als

Delphinium grandiflorum
dic
rio
Pe

Recycling
Lockers

Studios 178 m² 2.952m² 4.601 m²

Pteridium aquilinum
Visit Oriented Activities 151 m²
Svenska Barnboksinstitutet 1.084 m²
Dryopteris filix-mas Restaurant 832 m²
Depository 707 m²
Anemone albadura p
Sho
rary M a r k e t Z o n e
Lib

ption
Rece
Office / Print
ters

L e a r n i n g Level -1
Search Compu

Z o n e

Exhibition /
Fiction / Arts 1.307 m² 1.529 m² 2.107 m²
News /
Exhibition 92 m²
Lecture
Administration / Staff 130 m²

Borrow
+
Map Return
IIS - Interactive Information System
News Screen

Level 2

Fiction (Rotunda) 128 m² 128 m² 826 m²

Level 3

Fiction (Rotunda) 68 m² 68 m² 633 m²

Level 4

Administration / Staff 289 m² 783 m² 1639 m²

Visit Oriented Activities 135 m²
Svenska Barnboksinstitutet 208 m²
Exhibition 151 m²

New Library Building (19.447m²) 24.607 m²

New Library Building -10% (Infrastructure) 17.502m²
Existing Library Building 6.777m² 12.031 m²

Level 5 Total 24.279 m² 36.638 m²

DELPHINIUM 008