Archinect - News
2024-11-02T16:20:06-04:00
https://archinect.com/news/article/150235010/kengo-kuma-unveils-design-for-ibsen-library-in-skien-norway
Kengo Kuma unveils design for Ibsen Library in Skien, Norway
Sean Joyner
2020-10-28T19:09:00-04:00
>2024-10-25T04:07:38-04:00
<img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/83/83acc9b4afc2e71d1f563493066eefb8.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>The Ibsen Library, designed by <a href="https://archinect.com/firms/cover/6132/kengo-kuma-and-associates" target="_blank">Kengo Kuma & Associates</a> in collaboration with <a href="https://mad.no/" target="_blank">Mad Arkitekter</a> and <a href="https://archinect.com/firms/cover/38008/burohappold" target="_blank">BuroHappold</a>, was commissioned in celebration of the renowned playwright Henrik Ibsen, who was born in Skien, Norway, the location of the new library.</p>
<figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/43/43d1ba225d65f1f10294649515cd9fbc.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/43/43d1ba225d65f1f10294649515cd9fbc.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=514"></a></p></figure><figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/7d/7d1cbbded5b1662f9a9f53b5f68949b6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/7d/7d1cbbded5b1662f9a9f53b5f68949b6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=514"></a></p><figcaption>© Mir.</figcaption></figure><figure><figure><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/0d/0d14f5fae864aaf852751750582a7ce1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/0d/0d14f5fae864aaf852751750582a7ce1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=514"></a><figcaption>© Kengo Kuma & Associates.</figcaption></figure></figure><p>Selected as the winning entry of a design competition, the Ibsen Library introduces a new cultural hub to the city of Skien that houses a robust program to engage the surrounding community.</p>
<figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/14/141ff135fd16ed211734fced3bd49606.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/14/141ff135fd16ed211734fced3bd49606.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=514"></a></p></figure><figure><figure><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/ef/ef5458a48b54f2be0234ce9353d585f8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/ef/ef5458a48b54f2be0234ce9353d585f8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=514"></a><figcaption>© Mir.</figcaption></figure></figure><p>The footprint of the library covers the entire site boundary, giving it a generous floor area at the ground and underground levels. Both levels have open plans with no fixes walls and low bookshelves that act as soft dividers. The ground floor is seamlessly connected to the park on the outside, encouraging a connectedness between the indoor and outdoor environments.</p>
<figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/2a/2ab2218fa38ff800f3302dc98e1e1f94.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/2a/2ab2218fa38ff800f3302dc98e1e1f94.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=514"></a></p><figcaption>© Kengo Kuma & Associates</figcaption></figure><figure><figure><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/59/59736192cef0f58494eefd1b721af479.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/59/59736192cef0f58494eefd1b721af479.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=514"></a><figcaption>© Mir.</figcaption></figure></figure><p>The underground level offers adult and children-focused program with an outdoor amphitheater the raises up toward the exter...</p>