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Lázaro Carreter Public Library

This is a project by ch+qs architects and it is located at Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain. Project's program: Public library. There are twenty two images for Lázaro Carreter Public Library.

: © Duccio Malagamba

Project details

Project name: Lázaro Carreter Public Library
Location: Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain
Program: Public library
Area: Project Size: 1,100 m2
Year: Completion: February 2002
More details: Construction Cost: 1,380,000 Euros
Client: Villanueva de la Cañada Council
Project by: ch+qs architects
Team: Principal Designers: Josemaría de Churtichaga, Cayetana de la Quadra-Salcedo
Others: Structural Engineer: Juan Francisco de la Torre • Contractor: CABBSA

Project images

Designer's statement

The project for the new Public Library of Villanueva de la Canada responds to a inherent necessity to complement those services found in the neighbouring Cultural Centre by the architect Navarro Baldeweg.

The library has been defined as an intricate web of communication, research, encounter, and knowledge. These types of buildings are becoming less autonomous, and rely on external stimuli and connections to the outside world. Internet usage, database consulting, and new communication technologies are imposing a new and adapted architectural style in line with the evolving needs.

From an architectural point of view, the nucleus of this intricate web, with very diverse needs has been spatially resolved by connecting its uses through ascending "book spiral" in a ramp system, which when twisted, leaves functional spaces distributed around it. As we ascend, the associated uses with each level corresponded by more specific and complex tasks, more dependent on outside communication. Therefore, the ascending path from the Children's Library to the study areas and Internet halls, evokes the ascent into learning and knowledge, itself the main objective of a Public Library.

The different spaces and uses have been conceived and resolved in an austere and uniform way, as we have tried to define comfortable and cosy halls and rooms, with natural materials and by the introduction of natural light, which has been accomplished in a different way in every space.

The structure has been resolved in "armed ceramic", which enables the material to be left uncovered in walls and slabs, and also to accomplish large and light uninterrupted spaces. In the interior walls, this material has been whitened to be able to get a larger diffusion of light without sacrificing the texture of brick. All the floors have been covered with oak wood to achieve spatial continuity, without visual interference in the finishings, and where the different fields have been clearly defined by the organisation of its walls and outside intervals.