Archive of European Culture

Client: Stadt Landshut,
       Land Bayern
Year: 2021
Location: Landshut, DE
Program: Archive,
       Housing
Size: 5.500 m2
Type: Competition,
       1st Prize

Team:

Jorik Bais, Alexandra Heijink

A library is more than just a collection of books; it is a communal space for encounter and exchange. Our design proposal for the new Lensahn library centers on creating a compact yet spacious building that offers abundant natural light and flexible usage, ensuring a sustainable and future-proof environment.

The building’s volume is derived from the efficient organization of its intended programs. The ground floor serves as the main library area, segmented by a series of spatial volumes that house social services, a meeting room, and the connection to the town hall. The upper floor accommodates educational spaces, designed to function independently with its own entrance via a communal balcony. To enhance the flexibility of the main library space, we have incorporated movable shelves, allowing the area to be easily reconfigured for lectures and public events. Reading tables are seamlessly integrated into niches between wooden columns, offering visitors a secluded spot to immerse themselves in a book.

The core area that links the library and town hall acts as an independent element, accessible to both buildings, without altering the existing processes of the town hall.

Sustainability is a key consideration in our material choices. Concrete is used sparingly, only where necessary for the basement and core areas. The structure and facade cladding are primarily composed of wood, complemented by a recyclable metal roof, ensuring both durability and environmental responsibility.

The repetitive wooden structure creates two distinct facades. The north and south facades feature a fan-like arrangement of wooden columns, providing unobstructed views, while the east and west windows offer framed perspectives. The west-facing tea kitchen presents a panoramic view of St. Katharinen Church, and the east-facing window invites pedestrians on Sundstraße to glimpse the activity inside, contributing to the library’s identity.