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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Library@orchard in Singapore by NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTDSeptember 6th, 2017 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD There was a public consultation regarding the new library experience in end Dec 2012. Design Thinking – a user-focused approach was used to develop the concept for the library@orchard initially. They developed a range of prototypes on ideas of space design and allowed the public to give feedback and suggestions to shape their library-going experience for the new library.  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD
 Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD New Space Architects came on board in early 2013 after a series of tenders and competitions, and we were to work in collaboration with NLB and SP to develop the design for the library. Following the success of the old Orchard Library in Ngee Ann City, the new library@orchard will need to serve as an oasis for contemplation amidst the business of Orchard Road. The old library was extremely popular. Strategically located in the heart of the commercial district, the library had been an excellent haunt for teenagers and young adults. The new library is set to achieve this, and even more.  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD Located in Orchard Road within the glitz and glamour of the adjacent commercial buildings, the design of the library is vastly different from the conventional libraries in the heartlands. Essentially, library@orchard will not be a place for people to study and “mug” (as what the youngsters call it). Instead, it will encompass trends, culture, new technology, fashion, and aims to be a place where people hang out in town.  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD A visitor at the library will walk through a sequence of space experience. By replacing the usual straight rows of shelves into a series of organic shaped shelving, it redefines the usual experience that a reader gets in a library. The curves repeat the pattern of streets and mazes, an attempt by the architect to reflect the urban context in the library. A “bookshelf” now not only acts as a bookshelf, it also defines a new dynamic space experiences, as a new dimension and section is unfolded after each turn.  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD Library@Orchard is characterized by its drama. The architect envisions the space to be a voyeuristic one, from which the book shelves gives people some sort of opportunities to “check out” another through the nooks and crannies of the curves. The shelves also provide indirect stealth for library-goers, as they are able to hide behind their books and “peep” at others. Various spaces to allow “people watching”: street-side seating on the lower floor, where visitors can look down to the Orchard Road crowd; Gallery seats on the upper level, which is reminiscent of theatre gallery seats, an area where readers can “watch” what people the people at the first level are doing. Because of the nature of the library, it becomes an introverted socializing space – where interactions between visitors happen under silence.  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD Indirectly, the designer also aims to instill a perception of “inside vs outside” by insisting on glass walls instead of railings to separate spaces in the library. In this sense, library-goers are objectified when they are being watched from outside the glass walls, somewhat similar to a fish tank effect. The entrance of the library is also defined by curves instead of the usual straight counters and shelves that we see at the heartland libraries. As one walks into the entrance, he is welcomed by smooth curves that lead him to the inside spaces of the library. From outside, the full glass windows also allow passer-bys to catch a glimpse of the activities inside, at the same time the attracting them to visit the library for some casual browsing.  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD As the adjacent commercial blocks of Orchard Gateway are catered to the young adult, the back of the library is turned into something akin to an interior amphitheatre, but surrounded with shelves of reading material. This universal performance space is critical in this day and age, as it allows for the much needed interaction of exhibits and performances by visitors. Apart from an open space, a stepped theatre like seating is available.  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD  Image Courtesy © NEW SPACE ARCHITECTS PTE LTD
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Tags: Singapore Category: Library |
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