Dalarna Media Library
The natural terrain of the surrounding community is continued inside the building and spirals up through the central atrium of the library where all search of information and orientation take place. The design creates a varied study environment allowing the students to move about in the central space of the library or to withdraw to more quiet areas along the facade.
The building has a unique spatial character uniting library, study spaces and multi-media functions to create synergy with the existing university complex. The variation of sound levels and the differentiation of activities creates a versatile study environment that is rich in experiences.
'The library has really become the study environment and the meeting place that we hoped for it to be. The students have taken it to their hearts instantly and use group spaces and the rest of the options intensively'
Margareta Malmgren, Library Director, Dalarna university
The new library is the main attraction and new entrance arriving to the university. To emphasize this, the surrounding spaces are transformed from a large parking lot to an integrated urban plaza.
The urban plaza handles user and visitor flows while organizing the public spaces around the building into defined activity zones.
The main entrance is open and welcoming towards the plaza to identify the building with liveliness and activities.
Dalarna Media Library has become a vital force in the community, acting as a motivating generator for both citizens and local businesses.
The characteristic double facade with reflecting horizontal lamellae fronting a wood cladding was developed in collaboration with Danish artist Jeppe Hein. Instead of creating an isolated piece of art work, Jeppe Hein and ADEPT developed the facade into a detailed and refined expression with an immateriality that mirrors its surroundings and the people in it with broken reflections. The lamellae are made from highly polished stainless steel while their wooden background is a Siberian larch.
Type: Invited international competition 1st prize
Program: Culture + Education
Client: Falun municipality, Högskolan Dalarna
Size: 3.000 m² new + 1.500 m² transformation
Location: Falun SE
Year: 2010-2014
Collaborators: Rambøll
Image credits: Bara Bild, Kaare Viemose
Facade artwork: ADEPT & Jeppe Hein
Competition team: ADEPT, Sou Fujimoto Architects, Rambøll, Topotek1, Bosch & Fjord
Awards: WAF Best Higher Education and Research Building 2014
