The Amsterdam Central Public Library is the largest library in Europe, located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Designed by German architect Jo Coenen and opened in 2007, it covers 28,500 square meters spread over 10 floors. The library aims to be a cultural meeting center with spaces for reading, performances, exhibitions, and more to promote education and understanding. Natural light from large windows and artificial light from escalators illuminate the interior.

1. AMSTERDAMN CENTRAL LIBRARY

2. Central Public
Library of
Amsterdam
Architect :Jo Coenen
Year(s) of
construction:2007
Built-up Area :
28,500 m2
Location:
Prinsengracht 587,
Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Coordinates :
52° 22' 34" N, 4° 54'
28" E
INTRODUCTION
 The Amsterdam Central Public Library,
designed by German architect Jo Coenen, is
the head of a network of 27 libraries called
Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam (OBA,
Amsterdam Public Library).
 With approximately 28,500 meters square,
is the largest library in Europe.
 Its construction cost was 80 million Euros
and get an average of 7,000 visits per day.
 It is open 7 days a week from 10:00 to
22:00 hours, not only the library but also a
café, a restaurant, theater, terrace and
exhibition hall.
 The system of borrowing and returning
books, CD's, DVD's and games are fully
automated.

3. LOCATION
 Oosterdokseiland is located in a developing area of
the city being built on both sides of Central Station,
where there are also other important works such as
Renzo Piano's Nemo and ARCAM (Architecture
Center Amsterdam).
 The Library is one of three buildings forming part of
the master development plan for this area. From its
large windows you can see a panoramic view of Old
Amsterdam and the area Westerdokseiland
Oosterdokseiland and, on the opposite side of
Central Station.

5. CONCEPT
 It was conceived as a cultural meeting center.
 It will have numerous activities to promote education, reading and
understanding among all sectors of the population of the city.
 One of the greatest challenges for the architect, was increasing the
time people spend in the library.
 They had calculated that visitors were an average of 20 minutes,
about what it takes to get a book.
 The authorities wanted that the building was not just a book store
but to become a learning center, source, site of expression and
entertainment. Therefore, the library has not only places for
reading, but also with other areas of business development.
 The focus of the work is light, both natural and artificial.
 Large windows allow for their optimum utilization and provide
spectacular views of the city from a high point.

6.  In the front we used a wooden frame.
 Walking through the interior reveals its iconographic
significance, representing the bookshelves.
 The whole work is a collage of galleries, stairs, holes
and atriums.
 The building vertically is related by two large voids
that connect the plants and give a full view of the
entire volume of building, displaying also a unique
feature: the escalators, which act as the main source
of artificial lighting.

7. SPACES
 It has a floor area of 28,500 square meters, spread over 10 floors,
with 1200 seats and 600 computers with Internet access.
 It also includes an auditorium, an exhibition hall, the Museum
Library, the Museum of Gerard Reve and 2000 parking spaces for
bicycles.
 The white panels that illuminate the stairs with black letters
indicate what can be found on each floor: audiovisual, novels, travel
books, science, etc..
 The basement is devoted to children.
 It contains, in addition to the shelves, small buildings in the form of
towers to be entertained while playing their favorite books look.
 On the ground floor, which is accessed, is the section of magazines
and newspapers and, alongside these, a café where you can drink
while reading.
 One can bring books to the restaurant on the eighth floor, which has
a terrace facing south with a great view.

9.  Each plant has a particular sector that makes up a different space.
 In the back of the fifth floor is an area with 15 chairs rotary-skinned
as a relaxation area and where the hangars are from Central Station.
 Besides the typical study tables, chairs and armchairs are in
different spaces, strategically placed next to windows that invite
conversation and debate, from which one can see the city.
 There are different areas in addition to reading.
 One is the Theater of the Word, with capacity for 270 people, where
there are concerts, plays and documentary screenings.
 Other activities of the most curious, is "Philosophical Café", an
open-door meeting for those interested in Socratic philosophy, and
a "free speech podium" that allows any citizen to tell their own
story.

10. Lighting
 The glass surface is very important in this building, always
presenting huge windows allowing optimum use of natural light and
spectacular views of Amsterdam-Centrum.
 The most singular of the project is the artificial lighting.
 First, the escalator that runs vertically the central volume of the
library functions as a huge fixture and therefore, as the main filler of
artificial light.
 Its light bathes, by itself, all floors of the building because the walls
are practically nonexistent.
 Suspension lights, reaffirming the strong personality of the project.
 All light sources are hidden and invisible, integrated into the design
as part of the furniture.
 There are no fixtures recessed into false ceilings, so that volumes
remain very clean.

12. MATERIAL USED
 The main facade is lined with natural stone and
wood paneling.

13. SECTIONAL VIEW

14. THANK YOU