The Digest | New Jersey Magazine
Issue link: https://magazines.vuenj.com/i/1285484
e mission behind educational institutions such as public libraries has always been centered around sharing knowledge and providing resources for community development. As telecommuting becomes the norm, there is also a rise in demand for shared workspaces in major metropolitan cities. On June 18th, 2020, the Deichman Bjørvika opened its doors to the public in celebration of the city's 235-year history of the public library. From its conception, designers and librarians wanted the space to be, first and foremost, a place for people. By incorporating community activities and workspaces, all housed within an environmentally friendly urban masterpiece, the city hopes that the newest library will improve the lives of generations of Norwegians and tourists alike. e Deichman Bjørvika is a six-story, 1.4 million-square-foot library with an impressive collection of 450,000 books, located in the heart of Oslo, Norway. e architectural teams at Lundhagem and Atelier Olso won the opportunity to build the Deichman Bjørvika in a competition back in 2009 and aer 11 years of detailed, thoughtful design, they've managed to create a space that truly serves its community. Prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns, the library originally planned to accommodate 3,000 guests. To adhere to social-distancing measures, they only allow 1,000 guests at any time but are looking forward to being able to serve the max capacity in the future. Featuring a 200-seat auditorium and cinema, along with music rooms, gaming rooms, office spaces, media storage, restaurants and cafés, the library also offers 3D printing and hosts a number of activities such as recording sessions for podcasts, sewing lessons, piano lessons and welcomes guests who just want to take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding ords. e plot of land that the city designated for the library was on the smaller side. In order to offset footprint restrictions and create fluid open spaces throughout the project, the first and fourth floors are cantilevered and hover beyond the property lines. e prior acting as a cover over the main entrance of the building and the latter expands almost 20 meters out above the urban plaza. ough cantilevered stories allow more interior space, the shape of the building adds interest to the skyline and intentionally does not obstruct the views of other major cultural sites such as the neighboring Opera House. e roof of the library geometrically folds and features three large skylights that serve to flood the interior with natural light while providing the structural strength needed to hold the cantilevered floors in place. Upon walking into the library from either of its three entryways, visitors will find themselves surrounded by transparent, floor-to- ceiling glass enclosures. e choice to cover the project in glass was meant to evoke a feeling of openness and connection with its surrounding environment. e lively activity going on inside neither ignores nor interrupts the world beyond its walls, instead, it's meant to blend both into one. Guests will also notice three shas that cut diagonally through the six-story structure. ese shas offer a sneak peek of the spaces above while also distributing beams of sunlight downward from the previously mentioned skylights, illuminating each floor throughout the building. Solid concrete walls and columns form continuous lines that cut through the stories while patterned ceilings provide eye-catching texture. V U E N J . C O M 129