Some of the most famous libraries of classical Antiquity were located in what are today the Islamic nations of the Near East. This makes designing a library in this society a fascinating task. The West entrance to the planned library is made up of a generously proportioned two-storey foyer. The latter flooded with light affords a view into the reading room. In the manner of a courtyard the foyer groups around its periphery other facilities such as cloakroom, café, information area, checkout terminal and exhibition area. Cascading steps extend to all levels in strip of natural light well. A four-storey glass facade ensures any noise in the foyer is not heard in the central reading room. The glass façade affords a spectacular view of the reading room, which is stepped like a tribune facing the foyer. For those in the reading room the semitransparent nature of the glass façade only allows a diffuse view of the foyer ensuring peace and quiet for study. The stepped arrangement of the reading room running diagonally through the building gives rise to diverse, direct links and spatial connections between the individual sections of the library. The building is topped by its transparent fourth floor, which not only houses the library’s compact shelving but also the administration section. As a complement to the rising reading room, the auditorium – located opposite the foyer – has ascending seating reminiscent of an amphitheater. It is accessed from the East side via a newly planted olive grove. In a reference to printing, the stone facade of the library is made up – like composition – of natural stone tablets, which vary from embossed to even, from matt and rough to polished. The resulting interplay of light and shadow, relief and smooth surface creates intriguing optical effects, which are intensified still further by the varying finish of the dark green granite.

Al Fateh University Library, Libya
Project: 2005
Use: Library