Geisel Library

The Geisel Library is the main library building on the University of California, San Diego campus and contains four of the five libraries located on campus. It is home to the Arts Library (newly merged in July 2008 from the Art & Architecture and Music, Film & Video Libraries) (ARTS), the Mandeville Special Collections Library (SPEC), the Science & Engineering Library (S&E), and the Social Sciences & Humanities Library (SSHL). The Biomedical Library is the other library building on campus. There are 3 off-site locations: The Scripps Archives and Library Annex (available by appointment), the Annex (collections available by request), and the UC Southern Regional Library Facility (collections available by request).

The building is named in honor of Audrey and Theodor Seuss Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss) for the generous contributions they have made to the library and their devotion to improving literacy. The Geisels were long-time residents of La Jolla, where UC San Diego is located.

The building is featured in the UCSD logo and is the most recognizable building on campus. It is located in the center of the campus with Library Walk to its south, Thurgood Marshall College to its West and Earl Warren College to its East.

The library first opened in 1970. It was simply called the Central Library until a renovation was completed in 1993, when it was rededicated as the University Library Building. It was renamed "Geisel Library" in 1995.

The distinctive original building was designed in the late 1960s by William Pereira to sit at the head of a canyon. William Pereira & Associates prepared a detailed report in 1969. Considering the location, Pereira originally conceived of a spherical building resting atop a pedestal, with the structural elements on the inside. After several drafts of this ball-shaped design, the structural elements were deemed as being too space-consuming, and they were moved to the outside of the structure, essentially resulting in the current "lantern" design. Pereira envisioned that future additions to the original building would form terraced levels around the tower base descending into the canyon. The tower is a prime example of brutalist architecture. It rises 8 stories to a height of 110 ft (33.5 m). The four upper stories of the tower itself house the SSHL and East Asia collections.

A photo of the building taken by Julius Shulman was used as the cover image for James Steele's chronicle of Pereira's career, called simply William Pereira.

The Library Addition, designed by Gunnar Birkerts in the early 1990s, was "deliberately designed to be subordinated to the strong, geometrical form of the existing library." Within its two subterranean levels are the other library sections as well as study spaces and computer labs.

Source: Wikipedia.org

University “An der Karlsburg”

University “An der Karlsburg”, Bremerhaven by Kister Scheithauer Gross

A triangular plot is home to the new institute building of the university in Bremerhaven. The building, consequently set to the north of the plot boundaries, transforms into an architectural sculpture towards the Kennedy-bridge. The angular structure with setoffs and folds opens up surprisingly. An outside staircase develops into a multi-layered sculptural building which is crowned by the accentuated entrance hall and gives the building outline its distance effect.

The library with individual learning area, language laboratory, exhibition level, reading and freehand area are located on the ground floor and first floor, starting from the entrance hall. Auditoriums as well as larger seminary rooms are located on the first floor. Institute rooms are located on the subsequent levels, while administration rooms are located on the top floor.

The new building’s engineering brick skin gives it - in addition to the pure form - a sculptural effect. The peat-baked engineering bricks colored in brown-black-red enclose the whole building and cover the sloped roof surface of the auditorium as well as its soffit. Openings, set as accents, underline the character and give an insight into the building's interior with its vibrant play of colors.

The concurrence of urban planning design and the massive haptic materiality created an unmistakeable building for its location. It is a durable and resistant brick sculpture which will become part of the memory and city's outline.


Client:
Senate for Education and Science, Bremen

BGF:
6,900 m²

Cost:
12.0 million €

Completion:
2005

LPH:
1-9 general planning

1st prize Realization competition 2002

Source: indian-architects.com