Library of Doshisha - Kyoto - Japan

Abstract

The building fulfills the two basic premises called for: integrating the new works with existing buildings, made of brick, of the campus, and satisfying its two main functions of consultation and study. In reply to these conditions, a building was erected whose main entrance allows direct access, both to the reference area, formed by cards, book deposit, reading rooms and reference rooms, and also the study area, made up of private rooms, a magazine library and a show room. Some administrative offices, located at the back, complete the whole of the installations. On the outside, construction is characterized by numerous recesses and projections from the frontage, providing a pleasant play of light and shadows. Inside, it was endeavoured to produce some variety in the student areas, through the arrangement of different floor levels and different heights of flat ceilings. Very few materials were used, which has contributed considerably to achieving constructive and ambiental uniformity in clear contrast with its volumetric diversity.