"Technological innovations and digitization of resources have changed the traditional forms of library systems. Though these methods are eliminating the need for traditional structures, there is also an argument for the need of physical interaction with books and peers in the library. There still exists a strong support for books in the traditional form and the need for the'joy of reading'." These were my reasons for taking up a project for designing a library to re-invent the existing library systems to incorporate not only the digital models but also the traditional styles. This was my final thesis project during B.Arch.
I first conducted literature studies to understand the evolution of libraries, the existing classification systems, methods for storing and preservation of books in libraries. My next step was to conduct precedent studies in the form of live Case studies, City profiling and Site studies. My case studies included: 1. The Parliament Library,New Delhi 2. The Habitat Library and Resource Centre, New Delhi 3. Vikram Sarabhai Library (IIM), Ahmedabad 4.Asiatic Library, Mumbai and 5. David Sassoon Library, Mumbai After this I identified an appropriate site in Mumbai with the landuse allotted to Social Facilities.
The site was untouched but the biggest challenge was that it bordered a drainage canal. I proposed a reed bed filteration system to treat the sewage in the canal.The direction of the building structure was placed such that the wind passed through the building to the canal and not vice-versa thus avoiding foul smell to enter the building.The placement of the structure in between the green spaces also provided a barrier from direct visual axis to the canal.
My main aim was to create interactive spaces with minimum or no barriers to the outside. At every level there is a break given to the solidity of the structure with spill-out corridor spaces and terraced seating areas. On the ground plan, there is intermingling of the boundaries with the green space to create visual as well as physical interaction with the outside. On the first and the second floor plan the exteriors are all glass with louvered shades which allows diffused sunlight to enter these reading spaces.Ample of seating has been provided for lounging and reading.
The structure is designed to raise directly from the ground without any changes in the slope levels of the site. This created the scope of playing with various levels elevations of the building Blocks. All the blocks are connected and seen as one structure in the elevations.
