CÓRDOBA PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Library is located in a privileged site, an urban park in Cordoba on the border of a wide avenue that covers the railway network. It builds up the continuity with the garden visually linked to the large trees and on its opposite side the main façade is a continuous and precise lattice facing the city, building the park's limit with the avenue. This three-dimensional aluminum lattice screen unifies views and lights and lends a serene and abstract image towards the avenue. The trapezoidal plan adapts to the historic layout of the 18th century Agriculture Gardens, respecting the existing trees unfolding its height from the traffic road to the park. The pavilion image of the Library towards the park is lightened by a balcony that extends the reading spaces to the garden between the tops of the trees and thus introduces the vision of the green landscape inside.
The interior is a continuous space under a plied metal roof with deep skylights that filter the light. The program adapts to the difference in level between the avenue and the garden, fitting into the gap the children's space, visible from the upper level of the main entrance, that integrates a SX caliphal stone-wall that articulates the interior. An outside amphitheater is carved between the garden and the Library where it is possible to go out to read. The study room, multipurpose room and informal reading areas are arranged on the access floor. The main reading room occupies the first level with views towards the park, facing south and shaded by the deep linear balcony. In this reading space it is easy for the reader to find the different specific areas under the geometric skylights with the permanent presence of the park from which the Library is almost invisible among the trees that are the true protagonists.
CREDITS
Architects: Ángela García de Paredes. Ignacio G. Pedrosa
Project team: Álvaro Rábano, Álvaro Oliver, Lucía Guadalajara, Clemens Eichner, Roberto Lebrero, Luis G. Pachón, Ángel Camacho
Building surveyor: Jesús Bozzo
Structure: Alfonso Gómez Gaite, GOGAITE S.L.
Engineering: GEASYT S.A.
