Bibliotheque Alexis de Tocqueville

BIBLIOTHEQUE ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE

Building analysis by Jordan Harrison and Roger Yap

BIBLIOTHEQUE ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE

Normandy, France OMA + Barcode Architects

Building analysis by Jordan Harrison and Roger Yap Arch 341, Fall 2018 Lab instructor: Kent Macdonald

Cover image: Delfino Sisto Legnani / Marco Cappelletti

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1_Project Summary 2_Place 3_Form and Assemblies 4_Perception and Performance 5_References

1_PROJECT SUMMARY PROJECT DATA Location: Normandy, France Year of completed construction: 2017 Total area: 135,000 sq ft Total construction cost: $34.2 million Certifications: LEED Silver

TEAM Client: City of Caen de la Mer Architect: OMA + Barcode Architects Partner: Rem Koolhaas Landscape: Reed Hilderbrand Structure: Iosis / Egis Batiments MEP and FP: ClĂŠment Blanchet Civil: Iosis / Egis Batiments Acoustics: RHDHV General Contractor: Chris van Duijn

1.1 Entry courtyard / main entry

Photo: Delfino Sisto Legnani / Marco Cappelletti

ARCHITECT PROFILE

OMA: Formally known as the Office for Metropolitan Architecture, OMA has a prolific number of award winning projects worldwide. In 1975, Rem Koolhaas founded OMA along with Zoe Zenghelis and Madelon Vriesendorp. Today, OMA offices are international with locations in Rotterdam, New York, Hong Kong, Beijing, Doha, Dubai & Perth.

Two principles driving the firm’s design and decision making process are research and collaboration. The collaboration process is between the clients, architects, AMO (in house design thinktank for OMA), and others. This leads to informative and efficient design decisions that drive a holistic approach serving well to the occupants as well as sustainble projects with longevity. AMO applies architectural design thinking into other realms of design need outside architecture, and brings new design ideas into the architectural projects.

Bibliotheque Alexis de Tocqueville is one of several libraries OMA has been contracted to design. Notable for their creative approaches to libraries, the ideas behind the Seattle Central Library built in 2004 are emcompassed in this library’s design scheme. The Seattle Central library redefined what the library of today might look like, driving the design focus to user experience and technological need versus the traditional book stacks with secondary user spaces. The way people use libaries has changed significantly, and OMA’s recognition of this has allowed for great architecture meeting very modern needs. This project is a projection of OMA’s collaboration and research process, as it responds to context while also meeting current needs of the citizens.

1.2 Seattle Central Library, 2004: OMA prioritizing the library’s user experience Photo: Phillipe Ruault

1.3 Seattle Central Library, 2004: unique form driving landmark qualities Photo: Phillipe Ruault

BARCODE ARCHITECTS: Barcode architects (Buro for Architecture and Contemporary Design) is also a Rotterdam architecture firm. Barcode Architects looks to engage the user of their designs aesthetically and experientially, creating architecture that is monumental and engaging in the landscape. Like OMA, collaboration is important to their informed design process. Quality of building goes hand in hand with their belief of sustainable building for the future. With work ranging from residential to urban masterplanning, Barcode is able to consider many approaches when taking responsibility for a project, ultimately creating a well rounded design in response to context.

1.4 Bibliotheque Alexis de Tocqueville: form and user function driving each other Photo: Phillipe Ruault

PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESIGN PROCESS Bibliotheque Alexis de Tocqueville was commissioned by the city of Caen-de-la-Mer in Normandy, France to serve as a new civic center for the city. The library was built for the people and sought to connect the developing areas of Caen to the historic areas. Library usage has changed dramatically with the rise and convenience of technology.

Rather than using the library as a place to store books, the goal of this library was to be a gathering place that people could share interests and socialize, while also giving access to a variety of book subjects. The four wings on the main reading floor house different types of books with a centralized area connecting all four wings. This design idea seeks to encourage exploration into the other subjects of the library. A large auditorium is also featured, making the library a place that community gathering and education can be facilitated.

The site of the library lies at an interesting intersection between the historic town center and a new developing side of town. The form was derived from targeting important views of landmarks, then diagramming this in an intersection on the site. From this, the site was given an axis that the building form was derived from. Using the idea of connectivity, the main circulation happens through the core of the building. All other points can be accessed from this core. Using a series of both digital and physical modeling, the structural system and overall design concept was achieved.

1.5a Form developments as reaction to exisitng larger site Diagram: OMA

1.5b Library Floor Renderings Renderings: OMA

1.5c Ghosted floor renderings and concept study model Rendering and model: OMA

4

1

OPEN TO BELOW

Basement

Third Floor Plan (Mezzanine)

4 2

8 11

3 7

5

12

6

13

Fourth Floor Plan

First Floor Plan Massing Model scale: 1/64” = 1’-0”

6 10

10

MASSING AND CONFIGURATION

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Book Archives Entry/Lobby Lobby Desk Auditorium Gallery Conference Cafe Administration Wing Reading Space

10 11 12 13

Book Stacks Group Study Outdoor Roof Space Offices

10

10

Section A-A

9

Second Floor Plan

10’ 20’

50’

100’

PROGRAM

STRUCTURE

ENVELOPE: CONCRETE WALLS

ENVELOPE: GLASS CURTAIN WALL

THERMAL AND VENTILATION SYSTEMS

CIRCULATION

EGRESS AND LIFE SAFETY

COMPOSITE DIAGRAM

GRAPHIC SUMMARY

2_PLACE

ELECTRICITY

SEINE RIVER

FLAMANVILLE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

WATER

VEOLIA WATER

PALUEL NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

ENEDIS

LE HAVRE THERMAL POWER STATION

GROUNWATER SOURCING

CITY GRID

WATER LINE

SITE WASTE HEAT

TRASH RECYCLABLES

SEWAGE

TREATMENT CENTER

COLLECTION CENTER

BURNING FACILITIES

VEOLIA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

OCEAN

WASTE

2.1 Aerial view of Caen surrounding the library Photo: Google

REGIONAL RESOURCES

CONTEXT

Electrical energy in France is primarily derived from nuclear power plants. It’s supplier, Enedis, states that 72.8% of it’s energy comes from nuclear sources, the closest of which to Caen are Flamanvilile and Paluel Nuclear Power Plants. The Le Havre Thermal Plant contributes a large portion of energy to Caen. Water sources are provided by Veolia Water which treats freshwater coming from the Seine River and many groundwater sources. The library’s waste and recyclables are handled by Veolia Environmental Services which is later recycled, burned (60%) or dumped in a landfill (40%). Waste heat is recovered from the burning of waste and put back into the electrical grid.

Sewage is also treated by Veolia Environmental Services and released into the ocean after treatment.

The location of the library in the Normandy region of France is an urban setting in the cross section between historic landmarks of Caen de la Mer and modern developing areas of the city. Each wing of the library points to important landmarks within the city. The library sits on canals that extend inland from the English channel. These canals feature public bike/walk paths that continue in front of the library. The railines run in the adjacent area and feature a train stop nearby, providing plent of public access options for the library. A large public green lies to the north.

N

E

summer solstice winter solstice

W

CLIMATE ANALYSIS AND RESPONSE This coastal region of France is primarily under the comfort zone, with very few days being too warm for the comfort zone. It is a cool climate with high humidity during most of the year. These conditions are impacted by the high latitude and the coastal aspect. Coastal climates have unique sets of weather patterns and should play a large factor into . In a site like this, special consideration must be given to materials that will affect heating of the building.

S

3_FORM AND ASSEMBLIES

floor 3

3.1 Main Circulation from main reading Photo: Philippe Ruault

floor 2 + mezzanine levels

floor 1 circulation offices/conference/reading rooms

3.2 Library

Photo: Philippe Ruault

reading space/stacks basement

restaurant reading space auditorium/ramped seating basement

PROGRAM This building is organized upon several axes extending from one central shaft connecting each wing. The main circulation derives from this core. Book shelves and reading rooms are on all floors with the main reading space on the second floor in a double height space. The most private spaces are located on the top floor, away from the noise. These include offices, conference rooms, and private reading spaces. Most of the service components lie on the end of the wings, including four egress stairs located at the end of each wing.

3.3 Third Floor book stacks Photo: Philippe Ruault

3.4 Large Girder resting on column system during construction Photos: Antoine Cardi

STRUCTURE The Bibliotheque Alexis de Toqueville utilizes a system of large steel beams and columns in order to resist gravity and lateral loads. In order to maximize the open space within the large reading rooms, incredibly large girders were used which is most notable in the double-high spaces of the second floor. A thick concrete foundation is used along with a deep basement area in order to securely transfer loads into the earth.

3.5 Open expanse in main reading room due to use of large girders Photos: Antoine Cardi

shadow boxes

curved, structural glass

ENVELOPE: GLASS CURTAIN WALL A glass curtain wall system is utilized in this building assembly to reflect the surrounding context of the water, and the cross between old town and development. The entire facade is wrapped in the glass curtain wall, with portions of the glass that are opaque. Beneath the opaque glass lies the concrete wall system. Based on the cardinal positioning of the building, the longer south and north facades feature the most clear glass which the east and west ends have the opaque glass placed over, concealing what is a concrete system of structure and wall.

3.7-3.8 Glass curtain wall: interior and exterior views Photos: Luc Boegly and Sergio Grazia

concrete exterior walls

ENVELOPE: CONCRETE WALLS Beneath the glass curtain wall lies the concrete system that supports it. The openings in the concrete shell determine where the clear glass exists versus the opaque glass. From this shell, it is evident in each wing where the utilities are and where the egresss system is. This diagram highlights the minimal amount of glazing on the east and west facade and the vast expanses on the south and north facades, improving passive strategies.

3.6 Concrete base beneath curtain wall Photo: Antoine Cardi

4_PERCEPTION AND PERFORMANCE

Energy Model

ENERGY AND DAYLIGHTING PERFORMANCE Based on our buildings location in France and Zerotool’s limited locational predictions, we used the AIA 2030 Design Data Exchange to provide us with a United States city and postal code that would be similar to Caen, France. According to that, we arrived at Baltimore, Maryland as a suitable climate comparison. Using this information, our building’s target EUI was 20 kBTU. Under Sefeira energy analysis, it was determined that our building’s EUI is around 31 kBTU with a majority of the energy usage used towards heating. Even though our building is a library, the building type school was chosen as a closely linked building type to due to programmatic similarities. This building type has technology as well as lots of people in a concentrated area contributing to internal heat gain. The usage of glass in a typically cold climate allows for direct solar heat gain, but a lot of heat is lost through the envelope and decreases thermal performance. The building orientation is good for solar gains, with the longest side with the most glazing at the S end. There is a lot of glazing on the N side which is alright for natural daylighting, but does not allow for any solar heat gain and mainly just contributes to heat loss.

Daylight Model

horizontal airflow

vertical shafts

air intake

THERMAL AND VENTILATION SYSTEMS The service components and egress stairs are located at the ends of the East and West sides of the building, where no natural light is needed. Therefore, no glass on these ends makes the building thermally perform better. The most public spaces are at the center of the building and the most glass is featured on these sides. Daylight in these public spaces is excellent, but the vast amount of glass across the facade let’s heat out, relying on a heating intensive mechanical system. The air based system has an intake facility on the first floor, with vertical shafts in each wing. in front of the large expanses of glass is a vent system through the floor that blows hot air into teach floor. It’s location aids in reducing the heat loss through these windows that would other wise occur in the climate.

The building form is once again reflected in the air based heating system.

4.1 Library, ventilation system along base of windows Photos: Phillip Ruault

FLOOR 3

FLOOR 2

FLOOR 1

BASEMENT

CIRCULATION A system of vertical stairs and escalators carries the occupants through the core of the building and through a large, double height space. From the vertical circulation, all horizontal circulation stems from. As one moves up through the varying floors, the spaces become more closed off and different spaces with program are resulted, as reflected in the restricted circulation on the third floor. The importance of the central core is highlighted in form, and also is a reflection of the circulation system included in this building organization.

4.2 Communicating stairs: main lobby to central core Photo: Phillipe Ruault

circulation stairs

egress stairs

EGRESS AND FIRE LIFE SAFETY While the central core of the circulation system acts as the main pathway of travel, in case of emergency, each wing of the library provides access to safe egress on every floor. From each floor, the open circulation allows easy exit access to the four fire stairs. The exits themselves are consistently at a similar location on each floor and provide easy, clear access and exit from the building, From each wing, you are either exiting on the ground floor to public existing pathways/streets or to a nearby public park. The location of the exit stairs allows for access through each wing without having to return to the central, most social space of the library. This allows for a different type of experiential quality, depending on the path the occupant chooses.

4.3 Windowless wall concealing fire stairs Photos: Phillipe Ruault

5_REFERENCES BIBLIOGRAPHY “Bibliothèque Alexis De Tocqueville / OMA Barcode Architects.” ArchDaily. January 18, 2017. https://www.archdaily.com/803673/library-of-caenoma.

Cornachio, Jon. “Behind the Building: Bibliothèque Alexis De Tocqueville by OMA.” Architizer. August 30, 2018. https://architizer.com/blog/ practice/materials/behind-building-bibliotheque-alexis-oma/.

“Bibliothèque Alexis De Tocqueville / OMA Barcode Architects.” ArchDaily. January 18, 2017. Accessed December 10, 2018. https://www.archdaily. com/803673/library-of-caen-oma.

Stevens, Philip. “OMA Barcode Architects Complete Library in Caen, France.” Designboom | Architecture & Design Magazine. January 19, 2017.

Accessed December 10, 2018. https://www.designboom.com/architecture/oma-barcode-architects-bibliotheque-alexis-de-tocqueville-caenlibrary-01-18-2017/.

“OMA . Barcode.” AFASIAARCHZINE.COM. Accessed December 10, 2018. https://afasiaarchzine.com/2017/01/oma-133/.

Satterfield, Susan. “Livy and the Pax Deum.” Classical Philology 111, no. 2 (April 2016): 165–76.

“New Library of Caen Designed by OMA in Collaboration with Barcode Architects Opened to the Public.” OMA. Accessed December 10, 2018. http://oma.eu/news/new-library-of-caen-designed-by-oma-in-collaboration-with-barcode-architects-opened-to-the-public-.

“BIBLIOTHÈQUE ALEXIS-DE-TOCQUEVILLE, CAEN.” Archistorm. July 12, 2018. Accessed December 10, 2018. http://www.archistorm.com/ bibliotheque-alexis-de-tocqueville-a-caen/.

“Médiathèque Syracuse.” Réseau Des Bibliothèques De Caen La Mer - Accueil. Accessed December 10, 2018. http://bibliotheques.caenlamer.fr/ Default/reseau-des-bibliotheques-de-caen-la-mer-accueil.aspx.

IMAGE CREDITS Cover image: photograph © Delfino Sisto Legnani / Marco Cappelletti “Bibliothèque Alexis De Tocqueville / OMA Barcode Architects.” ArchDaily. January 18, 2017. https://www.archdaily.com/803673/library-of-caenoma.

1.1: photograph © Delfino Sisto Legnani / Marco Cappelletti “Bibliothèque Alexis De Tocqueville / OMA Barcode Architects.” ArchDaily. January 18, 2017. https://www.archdaily.com/803673/library-of-caenoma.

1.2: photograph © Phillipe Ruault “Seattle Central Library / OMA LMN.” ArchDaily. February 10, 2009. Accessed December 10, 2018. https://www.archdaily.com/11651/seattlecentral-library-oma-lmn.

1.3: photograph © Phillipe Ruault “Seattle Central Library / OMA LMN.” ArchDaily. February 10, 2009. Accessed December 10, 2018. https://www.archdaily.com/11651/seattlecentral-library-oma-lmn.

1.5: all images © OMA “Bibliothèque Alexis De Tocqueville / OMA Barcode Architects.” ArchDaily. January 18, 2017. https://www.archdaily.com/803673/library-of-caenoma.

3.1: photograph © Phillipe Ruault “Bibliothèque Alexis De Tocqueville / OMA Barcode Architects.” ArchDaily. January 18, 2017. https://www.archdaily.com/803673/library-of-caenoma.

3.2: photograph © Phillipe Ruault “Bibliothèque Alexis De Tocqueville / OMA Barcode Architects.” ArchDaily. January 18, 2017. https://www.archdaily.com/803673/library-of-caenoma.

3.3: photograph © Phillipe Ruault “Bibliothèque Alexis De Tocqueville / OMA Barcode Architects.” ArchDaily. January 18, 2017. https://www.archdaily.com/803673/library-of-caenoma.

3.7: photograph © Luc Boegly and Sergio Grazia Cornachio, Jon. “Behind the Building: Bibliothèque Alexis De Tocqueville by OMA.” Architizer. August 30, 2018. https://architizer.com/blog/ practice/materials/behind-building-bibliotheque-alexis-oma/.

3.8: photograph © Luc Boegly and Sergio Grazia Cornachio, Jon. “Behind the Building: Bibliothèque Alexis De Tocqueville by OMA.” Architizer. August 30, 2018. https://architizer.com/blog/ practice/materials/behind-building-bibliotheque-alexis-oma/.

4.1: photograph © Phillipe Ruault “Bibliothèque Alexis De Tocqueville / OMA Barcode Architects.” ArchDaily. January 18, 2017. https://www.archdaily.com/803673/library-of-caenoma.

4.2: photograph © Phillipe Ruault Stevens, Philip. “OMA Barcode Architects Complete Library in Caen, France.” Designboom | Architecture & Design Magazine. January 19, 2017.

Accessed December 10, 2018. https://www.designboom.com/architecture/oma-barcode-architects-bibliotheque-alexis-de-tocqueville-caenlibrary-01-18-2017/.

4.3: photograph © Phillipe Ruault “Bibliothèque Alexis De Tocqueville / OMA Barcode Architects.” ArchDaily. January 18, 2017. https://www.archdaily.com/803673/library-of-caenoma.

All other images were created by the authors