Service building Herzog August Library

2021

The Herzog August Library in Wolfenbüttel is a piece of national cultural heritage. The requirements for the protection of the books, high functionality of the processes and rooms and a structural approach to the historical ensemble of Lessinghaus, Direktorenhaus and the main library building are correspondingly high. The idea of the ‘Old Book Centre’ aims to create a functional unit within the existing Wolfenbüttel library quarter. With the present design, we want to give the ideas of ‘centre’ and ‘quarter’ a worthy architectural framework. The existing modern archive building will be supplemented by an adjoining block so that :

– an inner courtyard of the maximum possible size, which serves as a meeting place for visitors and employees.

– the structurally emphasised building centres of the library and the director’s house remain exposed and visually perceptible in terms of monument conservation.

– the modern additions of the archive and service building together serve the historic ensemble as a worthy framework for the free-standing historic buildings.

– the functional routes are short and barrier-free for employees and safe for the books.

– In terms of design, an additional architectural language is not added, but the archive and service buildings have a recognisable relationship and are less formal than the historic buildings without being irrelevant.

The building figure is thus conceived from the remaining open space. The linearity of the building also enables very simple, straightforward routes for book trolleys and a view of the Oker floodplain for the majority of the workspaces.