Thursday, October 22, 2015

Black Diamond, Copenhagen

The Royal Library, National Library of Denmark and Copenhagen University Library

I remember the time when I used to go to the public library in my home town to borrow books. Even though my parents had at that time an impressive home library, I've waited so anxiously for the limit of age that allowed me to borrow books from the library. And when the time came, I proudly crossed the doorstep. I remember the cramped dark corridors, the silence of the hall and the smell of the books. I always respected what the librarian lady said to all of us children with a severe voice "do not write on the books and bring them back in time", but I always searched from the small notes left by other readers on the pages of the books... 

I grew up and I forgot about all the mixed feelings that a small public library can give you. Now I buy my own books or borrow them from my friends and I visit public libraries that impress me not by their books or specific old smell of the books but for their architecture and style.

One of them is The Royal Danish Library with a brilliant architecture, a classy old library built in 1906 and a "black diamond" extension building finished in 1999. I was impressed by the exterior facade of the building that seems to lean over the sea. The name of the building is a perfect match for it. During day time, the water and the sky beautifully reflect in its windows creating a life size painting effect. At night, you cannot miss the structure if you pass near by or even from the distance, the black marble work of art absolutely shines.   





The building is connected with the original library by three bridges on different levels.
















The building is also the home for the National Museum of Photography, has a nice restaurant and a cafĂ©, a bookshop and houses the Queen Hall designed as a space for concerts, lectures, film screenings or theatre. 

"We are drawn to these projects for their potential to engage the public and not only to give cultural and social life to their cities and towns but also for their ability to work as an accelerator for learning and knowledge", founding partner Bjarne Hammer. 


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