The project, result of an open competition of ideas, influences a complete unit of the urban grid of central Bilbao. The area includes an existing building, which has had to be reformed, and an open space permitting a new construction as response to the demand of the client.
The mayor argument of the project is to organize the “old” and the “new” in three constructed volumes which belongs to the three mayor -clearly separated- functions. The existing building has been reformed to achieve open and flexible interior spaces, which will be used as public halls for reading and research.
The new construction includes two new built up volumes. The first one, covered with stone, takes the administration in. The second one serves to store the books and is designed like a glass container which expresses and symbolizes the function of the new library to the city. The texture of the books is used like an excuse to establish a cultural reclaim and the evident dialogue between the interior of the building and the public space in the outside. During the day the image of the printed serigraphies, which are representating the written content of the books, is predominating. During the night the artificial illumination intensifies the leadership of the books stored in the shelves. The storage building overflies a foil of moving water which represents the progress of knowledge in evolution. It is materialized on top of a glass surface which allows the light to pass through to an auditorium in the basement.
The architectural ensemble is formed around the courtyards which are contributing natural light to the habitable spaces.
