Deichman Bjørvika Public Library | Atelier Oslo + Lund Hagem

Atelier Oslo in collaboration with Lund Hagem created a new idea in building a library. The 6-storey building includes a basement, contains a collection of 450,000 books, and other functions of space that are not only a reading area. The location is in Bjørvika, which is close to the major center of attention of the city, the Opera House. The Deichman Library, combining entertainment and education.

The Deichman Library, Photo by Einar Aslaksen

The Deichman Library, Photo by Einar Aslaksen

The Deichman Library, Photo by Einar Aslaksen

The Deichman Library, Photo by Einar Aslaksen

The circulation becomes one and placing the area without a partition gives visitors space to read freely at the same time as other activities. The function of the building, besides providing a reading room and book storage, is to provide several public areas such as a cinema, lounge, and game area and to combine entertainment and education. The building itself is on a site that is not very spacious with planning to upper. The top of the building has a cantilever facing west as a communal area to enjoy sea views and also an alternative form to create a city attraction. The architect provided lots of light openings to create a warm atmosphere while reducing the energy load on the building.

The Deichman Library, Photo by Einar Aslaksen

Comprising six levels (including the basement), you will find all books placed between the communal, commercial, and public spaces. Acoustic games and asymmetrical patterns on each floor make this building not only a modern library but also give a comfortable impression. The attraction of this building is on a cantilever which is analogous to a stack or arrangement of books. Not only in form, in that part, it becomes a communal area intended to enjoy the sea view on the west side of the building.

The Deichman Library, Photo by Einar Aslaksen

The Deichman Library, Photo by Einar Aslaksen

The Deichman Library, Photo by Einar Aslaksen

The Deichman Library, Photo by Einar Aslaksen