Concept and Purpose
This landmark building harmoniously integrates with its surroundings, serving as a spectacular foundation for Nord Odal’s future development alongside the proposed square. Designed as an accessible public gathering space, the library aims to become Sand’s new community living room.
The library unites literature, knowledge, economy, people, tradition, and history under one roof. It provides a multifunctional space that fosters a strong sense of ownership among its users. Strategically positioned, the library connects the main road with the park and church on one side and the city government courtyard behind it. This arrangement, enhanced by an inviting transparent main entrance, creates a clear urban passage.
Walking through the indoor streets of the library’s main hall, visitors can observe people enjoying dates, reading books and newspapers, or relaxing with a cup of coffee. The lively atmosphere inside warmly invites passersby to step in and experience the space.
The building’s layout is compact, centered around an open atrium that serves as a quiet communal space. This atrium gathers various functions and allows occupants to visually connect with each other. The distinctive radial design radiating from the atrium dictates the building’s overall structure. Above the library, there are ten rooms facing south and west, designed to accommodate the elevated atrium space below.
Exterior Facade
The building’s radial interior layout translates into a dynamic exterior facade, achieved by “weaving” balconies and walls together to create a soft, flowing appearance. This design removes the need for vertical separations between rooms, resulting in deep spaces between living rooms and kitchens, and slender, elongated French balconies opening to bedrooms.
The facade features vertical wooden strips cladding the building, with horizontal flat slats wrapping around it, creating a three-dimensional texture. This wooden skin offers a cohesive yet varied architectural expression. Large glass surfaces in public areas provide a transparent layer that visually connects indoor and outdoor spaces, enriching the overall experience.
Interior Materials and Atmosphere
Nearly all interior elements are crafted from wood, an environmentally friendly material celebrated for its unique beauty, tactile qualities, and natural fragrance. The extensive use of wood reflects the architecture’s commitment to social sustainability and responsibility, while honoring the cultural heritage of wooden architecture and the local wood industry.
Wooden slats serve as characteristic layers for bookshelves and sunshades, cleverly concealing integrated technical systems. The soft curves of the ceiling and structural elements contribute significantly to the spatial experience within the bookstore, library, and public areas.
Design Drawings
△ General layout plan
△ Plan view
△ Plan view
△ Plan view
△ Plan view
△ Section diagram
△ Section diagram
Project Information
Project Type: Library
Location: Norway
Architect: Helen& Hard
Year: 2020
Photographer: Ivan Brodey
Manufacturer: Blumer Lehmann
Project Team: Reinhard Kropf, Mariana Calvete, Håvard Auklend, Dag Strass, Simon Baumann
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