Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron unveiled new renderings for its National Library of Israel, which is now under construction.
Dezeen notes that the 34,000-sm library will have a concave asymmetrical roof with a circular light well in the center. The building’s second level will be much larger and more spacious than the ground level entrance floor. Along with the light well, perforations in the stone-clad exterior will allow in daylight.
"The strong, sculptural form of the stone, related to the specific topography and context of the site, is elevated off the ground, and situated above vitrine like elements," the architects said in a statement. “The stone contains a large open space for the library’s visitors and users to interact while the vitrines expose the collection, reading room and public functions to the street and adjacent surroundings.”
The library will have a circular layout, with bookshelves curving around the hole in the center of the building.
Features include a glass-walled auditorium, a hall, research labs, and offices. It is planned for a landscaped site in Jerusalem next to the Israel Museum, the Science Museum and the Hebrew University.
Construction is expected to be finished by 2020. The Israeli firm Mann Shinar Architects & Planners worked with the Herzog & de Meuron on the design.
Related Stories
Libraries | Jan 12, 2023
An adjacent community center enhances South Bend’s library
This $40 million renovation and addition are part of a larger urban revitalization scheme.
Libraries | Oct 25, 2022
Stanford’s renovated library wing syncs with the region’s tech industry
Collaborative space replaces stacks.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2022
Top 90 Construction Management Firms for 2022
CBRE, Alfa Tech, Jacobs, and Hill International head the rankings of the nation's largest construction management (as agent) and program/project management firms for nonresidential and multifamily buildings work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 19, 2022
2022 Giants 400 Report: Tracking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
Now 46 years running, Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report rankings the largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. This year a record 519 AEC firms participated in BD+C's Giants 400 report. The final report includes more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Cultural Facilities | Aug 5, 2022
A time and a place: Telling American stories through architecture
As the United States enters the year 2026, it will commence celebrating a cycle of Sestercentennials, or 250th anniversaries, of historic and cultural events across the land.
Libraries | Jul 20, 2022
Canada to open one of the world’s largest library and archive facilities
When it opens in 2026, Ādisōke is expected to be one of the largest library and archive facilities in the world.
Libraries | Jul 5, 2022
Libraries, despite digital disruption, remain community assets
Washington D.C. is executing a master plan to build local facilities that can adapt to changing technologies.
Libraries | Jun 21, 2022
Kingston, Ontario, library branch renovation cuts energy use to 55% of benchmark
A recent renovation of the Kingston (Ontario) Frontenac Public Library Central Branch greatly boosted energy and water efficiency while making the facility healthier and safer.
Libraries | Jun 8, 2022
Welcome to the hybrid library
Libraries have grown to become the intellectual and social hubs of campus, where, prior to March 2020, students, researchers, and faculty gathered to collaborate and connect.
K-12 Schools | Mar 8, 2022
Design delivers new media messages for schools
Media centers are no longer physically confined to one room.