圖片說明：圖片提供／Arjen Schmitz

對於Jo Coenen & Co Architekten事務所來說，阿姆斯特丹公共圖書館（Amsterdam Public Library）是座內外部設計密不可分的建築。在這座總面積28,500平方公尺、高40公尺、長120公尺的圖書館設計中，內部與外部設施的規劃同樣精采。

圖片說明：圖片提供／Arjen Schmitz

阿姆斯特丹公共圖書館為當地都市計劃中的一部份，在外型的設計概念上就像是一顆雕刻出的巨石，並保持最佳的室內舒適性及充足自然光線的照射，以及多個尺寸大小不同的內部空間，而沉靜的內部空間也是規劃的重點之一。外部則規劃為在光線、空間及色彩設計下的活動交流區，在公共開放的空間設計下，讓使用者也感染到圖書館獨特的氛圍。

圖片說明：圖片提供／Arjen Schmitz

在阿姆斯特丹公共圖書館的設計中，在流行、自信與簡潔的建築風格，以及在品質與謹慎的設計態度下於保存書本資料的同時也保有一份對文化的尊重。圖書館的功能性十足，如底層的開放性公共區域、中層的書籍存放區及頂層的劇院及餐廳，而最頂層空間也設計成公共開放的互動場所，並在藝術、內部設計、燈光及各區域的特點下鼓勵人們來親身體驗圖書館本身的獨特風格。

圖片說明：圖片提供／Arjen Schmitz

大型突出式的陽台及延伸出的側牆不但具有功能性的考量，也是圖書館的建築特點。在彈性及簡潔的設計理念下，使用了最少的柱子讓空間能儘量開放與無障礙感。在空調及電線管線空間的規劃上也利用原有的室內空間角落隱藏管線而無需再額外加裝外露管線。而無規劃分隔區的樓板空間，則可在所需活動舉辦時能靈活地規劃出所需空間，且原本在辦公區及圖書館間的隔板也可輕易地移開。圖書館的屋頂則加裝太陽能板以利用再生能源。

圖片說明：圖片提供／Arjen Schmitz

幾世紀以來石材一直在歐洲公共建築材料上占有重要的地位，不論在雕刻或是永久性的保存上都有著很好的效果，加上建築師Jo Coenen本身對石材情有獨鐘，也非常不喜愛人造材料，因此用石灰岩與木頭構出了圖書館溫暖的色系，以及一種獨特的穩重感。雖然石材在荷蘭較不常使用，但石材的特性卻顯示出阿姆斯特丹公共圖書館特殊的氛圍與重要性。同時Jo Coenen也思考著如何讓自然光線能照進建築內的主要空間，除了自側牆照進大樓內部的日光以及樓板的開孔也可引進日光外，自然光線較不足的空間則以手扶梯的光源做為輔助。

圖片說明：圖片提供／Arjen Schmitz

圖片說明：一樓平面圖；圖片提供／Arjen Schmitz

圖片說明：頂樓劇場及餐廳平面圖；圖片提供／Arjen Schmitz

圖片說明：立面圖；圖片提供／Arjen Schmitz

【延伸閱讀】
Jo Coenen & Co Architekten 事務所
http://www.jocoenen.com/jcau/index5.html#

更多建築旅遊資訊，請上【建築行腳】專輯
http://www.xinmedia.com/n/featurestory_list.aspx?collectionid=111

更多國外建築脈動請上【國際脈動】
https://solomo.xinmedia.com/archi/news/International

編譯／蘇琨峰　圖文／Jo Coenen & Co Architekten
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Profile
蘇琨峰／Andre

一隻喜愛新事物也對舊事物固執的牡羊。台北工專土木工程科、雲林科技大學營建工程結構組畢業，工作後決定離職前往澳洲再度充實自己並一圓留學夢，畢業於墨爾本大學經濟與商業研究所，主修商業與資訊管理。喜歡看建築、旅行探索、研究攝影、愛打網球、沉溺爵士樂當了爵士樂團薩克斯風手。目前為《欣建築／國際脈動》編譯、文字記者、辦理欣建築相關活動及國際領隊。

圖片說明：Courtesy by Arjen Schmitz

The Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam (Amsterdam Public Library) on Oosterdokseiland is a hallmark in the oeuvre of Jo Coenen, architect. Together with the slender Vesteda Toren (Vesteda Tower) in the centre of Eindhoven and the Markt-Maas project in the centre of Maastricht, consisting of elegant blocks of stores, apartments, offices and a new council chamber, the Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam (OBA) can be seen as the rich harvest of large-scale constructions yielded by the firm of Jo Coenen & Co in the first decade of the twenty-first century.

Jo Coenen (Heerlen, 1949), educated at the Technische Hogeschool in Eindhoven, moulded and inspired by his contacts throughout Central and Southern Europe, has created a large number of structures since the eighties. Ranking among his best-known projects are the Nederlands Architectuurinstituut (Dutch Institute for Architecture) in Rotterdam, the Stadsbibliotheek (Municipal Library) in Maastricht and master-plans for the architectonic and urban design of the KNSM Eiland in Amsterdam, the Céramique in Maastricht, the Kunstencluster in Tilburg and Smalle Haven in Eindhoven.

The Vesteda Toren in Eindhoven, the Markt-Maas in Maastricht and the Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam have more in common than their volume, their significance for the respective cities and the fact that they were built at the same point in time. All three projects are based on related motives, best illustrated by featuring the library in a leading role.

圖片說明：Courtesy by Arjen Schmitz

Assignment

“To unite the grown apart world of books, which represent many centuries of culture, and the assignment to create a library of experience?”
The design of a library is an assignment par excellence, which is primarily not focused on the creation of an exterior composition, a compilation of facades, but which is especially focused on designing the inner world.

“Building and interior are indissoluble interdependent”. This is one of the reasons why the architect preferred to design as well the interior as the exterior. In this library exterior and interior are indissoluble unified. The assignment is a piled up program of 28,500 m2 in an urban envelope with a volume of about 40 meters height, 40 meters width and a length of 120 meters.

圖片說明：Courtesy by Arjen Schmitz

From urban planning to building, a from-the-inside sculpture

The design of a public library with these measurements, within a binding urban plan, was only possible by looking through the eyes of a sculptor. The building is grated and sharpened like a stone monolith to make sure that the inner life will be as comfortable as possible. At some places, the building is set back from the prescribed urban borders. As a result of this, an inner space existed which creates natural light in the interior space. Despite of the immense program of the building, which was ought to be met, it was possible to create a diverge building with multiple shaped sub volumes where as well intimacy as overview and orientation can come together. The exterior is, in a way of speaking, thought out from the inside. The main goal was “to create spots”, which come to live and will develop a value which makes you decide to stay, supported by light, space and color. By the diversity of activities, a joint play of these spots is crucial. The building is supposed to be accessible and open in every fiber. Different spots with unique atmospheres make the visitors affectionate to the building.

圖片說明：Courtesy by Arjen Schmitz

Manifest for architecture

Also the contemplative is an important aspect of the interior of the library. This sentence is also considered as a manifest of architecture in general. It is a response to the increasing tendency to snazzy, overweening and briefness in architecture. For public buildings and especially for buildings where books are preserved, which represent our cultural body of thought of many centuries, applies that they should be treated with respect. This is translated in quality and discretion.

圖片說明：Courtesy by Arjen Schmitz

Contrast

The contrast between different atmospheres can be found in the composition of the building, as well the interior as the exterior. The building consists of a base plinth, middle and top.

The “base plinth” represents the fast and briefness and has an urban and public character, while the “middle” – where the books are preserved – symbolizes rest. The “top”, where the theatre and restaurant are found, is the place where people meet, relax and interact or discuss. The top also has a public character like the base plinth.

The term “experiencing library” is translated to “identification by character”. By art, interior and light, accents were added which caused the building to create its own character. The interpretation of “experience” gets a unique content this way. This made it possible to unite the grown apart world of culture and assignment.

圖片說明：Courtesy by Arjen Schmitz

Movement

Movement is crucial to the way architecture is experienced by the senses. The perception of the materials used, the details, the scale, the contrast between light and dark, open versus closed, are all heightened by movements within the structure. The architecture of a building can structure these movements, direct them and accompany them by a variety of fast and slow tempi, of staccato movements alternated with sustained ones, by breathing spaces and differences in rhythm.

The route from the Central Station to the OBA runs along the curved side of Oosterdokseiland. The building is heralded by a passage way to the entrance made of natural stone, prompting visitors to take a left turn.

From the landing, one is offered a view into the heart of the building. To the right of the landing is a lively square, an area where people can meet and relax, protected from the elements by the huge canopy.

The entrance hall is a low-ceilinged area, a transition to the next repertoire of movements, via a high-ceilinged hall, to the main lobby with an enormous area to the left, where one can easily and gradually descend. Straight ahead are the escalators offering an organized ascent of staccato movements. To the right are several terraces providing indirect access to the exhibition area and to the multimedia section of the library somewhat further on the intermediate floor.

Via the escalators a repetition of movements then follows that are continually different because of the way the voids are situated. The penultimate floor is different, in the sense that it is an announcement of things to come. Via the wide stairs it opens out onto the top floor under the canopy offering a wide telescopic view of Amsterdam.

The architecture of the library as a whole is also, figuratively speaking, in motion. By extricating itself from the base, abandoning the alignments with a concave and a convex façade, rotating, receding, projecting and in doing so – insofar as this is possible within the situation at hand – breaking loose from its own boundaries, it reinforces the effect of the different movements that visitors of the building can experience.

圖片說明：Courtesy by Arjen Schmitz

Construction and technique

In architecture, all decisions pertaining to the design of a building affect numerous aspects of its construction. Form, function and technique are inextricably linked. The sharply projecting canopy and the hanging construction of the side wall are two of the Public Library’s components that exemplify how both formal and functional considerations had far-reaching consequences for its construction.

In order to achieve flexibility and a clear arrangement of the extensive and complex Public Library building, only a limited number of columns were used and all spaces were left as open as possible, without any obstacles. Fire safety regulations were met by cleverly situating the different escape routes and by installing a sprinkler system throughout the building. By so doing, the floors did not need to be compartmentalized.

The air conditioning was ingeniously solved by having the voids function as shafts so that there was no need to install any additional pipes or air ducts. All the electrics were installed within a raised floor. In this way, practically everything that could possibly distract the eye from the architectonic form or space was hidden from view.

Because of its unpartitioned floors, the library can easily be adapted to other lay-outs, if required. The present partition between the library and the office building behind it can also easily be removed. Finally, all rooftops are equipped with solar cells, as part of a pilot project for durable energy.

圖片說明：Courtesy by Arjen Schmitz

Materials

Natural stone has been used for the construction of public buildings and public areas in European cities from time immemorial. With this material, it is possible to achieve a highly sophisticated detailing, while at the same time heightening the effect of long outlines. Throughout the centuries, the application of natural stone for floors, walls, domes and arches, both on the inside and on the outside, has always been common. Jo Coenen has a greater affinity for natural stone than for bricks – a preference he developed while working on the Céramique project in Maastricht – and simply hates synthetic materials. Owing to its warm greyish-brown colour, shell limestone, which is frequently employed in Maastricht, harmonizes well with both concrete and wood.

Natural stone accentuates the durable aspect of architecture and affords it a certain elegance. It also ages nicely and when thresholds and stairs become worn, this only serves to enhance the building. Cladding a building with natural stone can produce a potent sculptural effect, making it appear to be made of one piece. The sole use of this material enables the Public Library to maintain its independence within the ensemble of which it is part, whilst also linking it to the natural stone façades of what used to be the Central Station Post Office.

Natural stone is an exceptionally durable material. Because it is only marginally used in the Netherlands, it reinforces the distinction of the buildings where it is applied and in this particular case underlines the special importance of the library as a public building.

圖片說明：Courtesy by Arjen Schmitz

Light

In architecture, light is a factor of great importance to guarantee the correct functioning and use of a building.

Light, particularly natural light, may vary considerably. In the case of a building the size of the Public Library, with a surface area the size of a soccer field and partially boxed in, bringing natural light into the building was no small task.

Jo Coenen went to great lengths to have day light penetrate the heart of the building or to provide natural light vistas where the former was not possible, for example at the rear of the building, where the adjacent office building was detached from the OBA through an incision in the architectural mass. By curving the side walls of the library, the light at the concave side penetrates deeper into the building and the convex side functions as a bay window. The voids and the openings in the floors also allow day light into the building. The escalators, which also serve as light object, provide a brightly lit point of orientation in the heart of the building which is inaccessible to day light.

圖片說明：Courtesy by Arjen Schmitz

Pleasant spots

Buildings, especially the larger ones, all deserve to have a certain number of pleasant spots: parts of the building which may not be functional in the literal sense of the word, but are nevertheless essential for the architecture to function well. These can also be found at the Public Library, starting at the square in front of the building: an attractive area for relaxation, meeting up with friends and making contact with other visitors. The large open space outside to the left of the building and the carefully executed ‘ladder’ running from the outside through to the inside, are also pleasant spots for diversion.

The same applies to the bay windows where one can look out into the distance in two different directions away from the adjacent buildings, the tranquil areas between the bookcases, the terrace and the area surrounding the theatre on the top floor, all spots where additional qualities are offered by the library’s architecture.

圖片說明：Courtesy by Arjen Schmitz

圖片說明：圖片提供／Arjen Schmitz

圖片說明：1st floor plan；Courtesy by Arjen Schmitz

圖片說明：Theater & Restaurnat plan；Courtesy by Arjen Schmitz

圖片說明：Election；Courtesy by Arjen Schmitz

【More Information】
Jo Coenen & Co Architekten
http://www.jocoenen.com/jcau/index5.html#

More architecture tour information, here you go【Architecture Footprint】
http://www.xinmedia.com/n/featurestory_list.aspx?collectionid=111

More architecture works abroad, here you go 【International】
https://solomo.xinmedia.com/archi/news/International

Text Photos／Jo Coenen & Co Architekten

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Profile
Andre

A male Aries, loves learning new things and being nostalgic to old things. Academic background: Bachelor of Construction Engineering Department at National YunTech University, Taiwan and Diploma of Graduate School of Business and Economics at University of Melbourne. With character of a little introvert, addicting to architecture, photography, tennis, Jazz music and saxophone and being the translator of Xin Architecture/ International, reporter, holder of activities and international tour leader.

Jo Coenen & Co Architekten－阿姆斯特丹公共圖書館