Colette Patterson, Jonas Daamgard, Rebecca Plotnek

Swiss cottage library

Architecturally we became very interested in the
layout of the first and second floor, especially
once I brought up the idea of the library being
symmetrical. Once having looked at the floor
plan there is some degree of symmetry and we
were curious to find out why the decision was
made to built it this way, and also how we could
use this structure to our advantage in the final
project.
It is also interesting to note that the building
itself is extremely open. You can stand at one end
of the building and see the whole length of it,
right to the other end.
Another architectural point is that the
preliminary structure of the building has no
corners or edges, the whole building is curved,
giving a sense of the building being infinite and
eternal, a circle in which one can get lost or
escape.
Due to the symmetry of thr building, we wanted
to try and find its most central point, looking
sideways, lenghtways and vertically, and
searching for some distinct landmark that would
mark it as the centre point. After
experimentation, we found that we were unable to distinguish an exact center point of the building,
which seems baffling as the whole building itself seems to be a symmetrical and reflective shape.
If we were to experiment with how far sound could travel and where it would travell to, there are
three distinct areas/rooms within the ground and first floor. Thus if I was to perform in one end of
the library, the doors could close to the atrium and the sound would be contained to this large area,
likewise with the atrium and the opposite side of the library.
Brutalist building a movement in architecture that was hugely popular around the time it was built
in 1964, rebelling against beautifully decorated houses in an it is what it is style.
One method we have used for research is the most simple method of observation, mainly of the
people within. In terms of people and characters who use the space, there is a steady range of
different visitors. If you are here at the moment the library opens, its visitors consist of mostly elder
Colette Patterson, Jonas Daamgard, Rebecca Plotnek

generations, using computers which they may not have access to at home. If you stand in the
atrium at 10 oclock in the morning, there is a line of about 20-30 prams outside the childrens area.
If you are here at around lunchtime it is mostly empty. And at about 2 oclock there is a flurry of
students that fill all the tables on the first floor. Noting the noise levels at different times of day is
intriguing. First thing in the morning it is almost silent, to the point where you feel intrusive if you
are making loud footsteps. The noise level increases once mothers start to arrive with their children
and the building starts to buzz with noises of crying, laughter and young children. And when the
students arrive there is a constant flowing hum of chatter.
As readers (participants) we enter that flat world and enable the strange, triangulated dance
between finger, eye and imagination. The flat event space begins to expand and gain volume. The
slow speed of a finger running along a line of text starts to bend time; slowing; doubling; stretching
it Ant Hampton on duration of time in The Quiet Volume
Delineating public and private space: Of all the things considered when designing, whether
architecture or city planning, among the most important are private and public space, and the
transition between the two. There are times when the need is obvious, private space in a residence
for instance, and other times when it's more ambiguous, such as in the case of privately owned
public spaces where who the "public" is can be widely interpreted. The move between private and
public spaces can also vary from a well-defined boundary to a more loose transition. These
ambiguities are increasing especially in this time of increased connectivity.
Public space is key to the health of a community. Access to public space also provides the
opportunity to be around other people. Humans are social creatures and have an inherent need to
interact. An active public space can offer this interaction.
Complementing public space is, of course, private space. As with public space there are many
different scales of private space. The private space of your personal bedroom is quite different than
the private space of a corporate office. Regardless of the level of privacy a private space it is
typically smaller than a public space, if for nothing else than the fact of a lower
occupancy. Historically private space has been as small as a bed or as large as a castle. Either way it
offers security, safety, and a place to rest. Activities that society, or an individual, has determined
are not appropriate for public are carried out in private. Our society values personal space,
whether a child or an adult we all want our own space. This may be a space used for work, hobbies,
self-reflection or to wind down. The best part of private space is we can do whatever we want. As
like public space, the value of private space is clear.
People of all ages use the library, it is a place of knowledge- where people come to learn
and share.
It offers a place where people can enjoy a social space, having access to a library is vital for
the community.
People come to access information
Libraries reflect the evolution of our culture and how we access information and where
from.