Masterpieces: Library Architecture + Design

From the contents:

• Philological Library of the Freie Universität Berlin, Germany (Foster + Partner)
• Deusto Univesity Library in Bilbao, Spain (José Rafael Moneo)
• Tama Art University Library in Tokyo, Japan (Toyo Ito)
• Fleet Library at the RISD in Providence, RI, USA (Office dA)Viana do Castelo Library, Portugal (Álvaro Siza)

Because of the increasing requirements of multimedia the demands placed on libraries have grown enormously in the past decade The institution went through a true image transformation, from an introverted hoard of knowledge to a globally networked information vendor and communication broker. The architectural realization of this anticipated demand profile makes for an extremely complex and simultaneously exciting building task.

Whether new buildings, conversions or extensions, this title shows the diversity of this task with the requirements of cutting-edge technology and cultural demands at the same time. With the aid of texts, photos and plans, 69 projects are presented from around the world.