VIIPURI LIBRARY BY ALVAR AALTO

THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE

II

SUBMITTED TO:

AR. YASMEEN ABID MAAN

SUBMITTED BY:

AYESHA JAVAID

1725103004

SEMESTER: 6

B-ARCH III

DATE: JUNE 18, 2020

1
 VIIPURI LIBRARY BY ALVAR AALTO

VIIPURI LIBRARY

Architect
Alvar Aalto

Designed in
1927 - 1933

Built in
1933 -1935

Floors
3

Land Area
3.500m2

Floor Area
2.500m2

Location
City Park, Vyborg (Viipuri), Russia

Aalto began the free section, creating a spatial continuity of the first order”.

2
 VIIPURI LIBRARY BY ALVAR AALTO

Aalto himself defines his work as the result of his inspiration in the mountain and cliffs bathed in sunlight at
different times of day landscapes. “… When I designed the city library in Viipuri, for long periods of time I
chased the solution with the help of primitive drawings of some kind of fantastic mountain scenery with cliffs lit
by soles in different positions, from which came gradually, the concept for the library building. The
architectural core of the library is reading areas and at different levels and loan plateaus, while central control
area and forms the highest point above the different levels. Children’s drawings have only a direct connection
with the architectural design, but joined together in section and plan, create a kind of unity between the
horizontal and vertical structures… “(Alvar Aalto)

This building shows how Aalto differed from the first generation of modernist architects, departing towards a
personal style, by using local woods and materials and creating a regional architecture, integrated to its location
and unique to that place. This style is often referred to as organic or regional modernism. The warm texture of
wood creates a sublime contrast to the prevailing white color of the exteriors. The interior is complex in terms
of layout, but yet very functional.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER:

Character refers to all those visual aspects and physical features that comprise the appearance, material used,
main idea of architect to build that building.

The character of Viipuri library by Alvar Alto is

 Open section
 Natural lighting

Alto Viipuri Library is although of entirely different architectural character and program, is based on similar
implication of sheared masses. A narrower, lower volume transitions across the blank façade of the main
reading room element, evoking an uncomfortable sense of slippage between the two.

3
 VIIPURI LIBRARY BY ALVAR AALTO

CONCEPT:

The library’s architectural core consists of reading and lending areas at different levels and plateaus, while the
central and control area form the high point above the different levels Viipuri Library section is particularly
interesting. From ground level, a set of stairs ascends switchbacks leading to a two-level space receives daylight
through a skylight and is home to the stacks, one of the areas of reading and control desk.

AXONOMETRIC PROJECTIONS:

As can be seen clearly in the axonometric drawing, the library consists of two rectangular volumes, that gain
different architectural expressions and functions within the total composition. The higher volume contains the
reading rooms and book storage, and has a strong introverted character.

ACCESS TO BUILDING:

Aalto designed four entrances, placed on every side of the building. The main entrance connects to the main
spaces of the library, which are the entrance hall with wardrobe and toilets, the lecture room on ground floor,
and the reading and lending rooms on higher floors. Two other public entrances connect to the children’s library
and a book shop, which is placed alongside the street. A fourth entrance is considered as a private entrance that
connects to the administration rooms on the first floor, and is also used as a fire exit. For all entrances Aalto
designed an in-between space between outside and inside, to provide a smooth transition.

4
 VIIPURI LIBRARY BY ALVAR AALTO

ARCHITECTURAL & CONCEPTUAL PLANS

5
 VIIPURI LIBRARY BY ALVAR AALTO

LAYOUT
PLAN

6
 VIIPURI LIBRARY BY ALVAR AALTO

ELEVATIONS

W.R.T MATERIALS

SECTIONS

7
 VIIPURI LIBRARY BY ALVAR AALTO

LIGHTING:

NATURAL LIGHTING:

Lighting is one of the primary considerations in a library, in this case the architect designed a perforated by 57
round skylights, with a diameter of 1.83m cover. The round shape was the most satisfying to the condition of
internal stress for horizontal glass surfaces and in cold climates the ever present danger of cracking should be
avoided at all costs.

No direct sunlight enters, it is reflected in thousands of lines of reflection result of the conical shape, like a
funnel, of the skylight. Thus without the use of a glass diffuser diffuse, shadow less light, ideal for the reader
who can take your book to anywhere in the room without being bothered by glare.

ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING:

In artificial light followed the same principles in natural lighting. Light is designed to fall onto the book
diagonally and in all directions in order to avoid shadows. The accessories were placed between the openings of
the skylights.
One might question the fact that these main rooms not seize the opportunity to look outside, interacting with the
fabulous park, but Aalto designed these spaces as a microcosm, like a religious space is involved.

ACOUSTICS:

In order to completely isolate the library from traffic noise, the exterior walls were built 30 inches thick and
contain ventilation ducts and mechanical piping.

In the conference room the architect solved the acoustics of the space with the design of ripples in the roof made
with wood slats Karelian pine, from the Finnish region of Karelia, which help the best sound propagation. The

8
 VIIPURI LIBRARY BY ALVAR AALTO

walls had a textile lining, the floor was wood and furniture in the conference room were designed especially for
the occasion, with characteristic Aalto stacking stools and seats with backs, made of curved wood.

Restoration of Viipuri library is done is stared from 2008.

REFRENCES:

BOOK: Forming and Centering: Foundational Aspects of Architectural Design (By Kenneth M. Moffett)

https://en.wikiarquitectura.com/building/viipuri-library/

http://www.ricardoploemen.com/pdf/the%20library_ricardoploemen.pdf

https://www.archdaily.com/630420/ad-classics-viipuri-library-alvar-aalto

https://bustler.net/news/3995/restoration-of-alvar-aalto-s-viipuri-library-wins-2014-world-monuments-fund-
knoll-modernism-prize