Stockholm Public Library

Unfolding the full potential of both building and site, the proposal for Stockholm’s Public Library creates a coherent functional and programmatic composition, while merging the surrounding area into a unified entity.
Today, the site is characterized by the unfulfilled potential of the inaccessible Observatory Hill and the programmatically problematic Public Library.
The Observatory Hill is a green island perforating the urban fabric. It is one of the city’s highest natural points with outstanding views of the Stockholm roofscape. However, the steepness of the hill renders the hilltop inaccessible and under-used.
At the foot of the hill, stands the iconic Asplund library and its three detached annexes which programmatically separate the library into four unconnected buildings.

Instead of keeping the impractical annexes, we suggest an extension that programmatically brings The New Stockholm Public Library into one entity.
We propose an extension as a continuous boulevard starting from street level, rising to the Asplund Rotunda and finally linking it to the Observatory Hill top, thus creating a transition between landscape and urban fabric.
The New Stockholm Public Library will be an urban mediascape where landscape and building, interior and exterior, old and new merge into a single entity.

Program: Public library
Size: +16.500 m2
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Client: Stockholm Kommune
Year: 2007
Type: Open competition, 4. place
Team JAJA: Jakob Christensen, Jan Tanaka

THE SITE

Despite the architectural clarity of the main building, designed by Gunnar Asplund, the public library is in fact fragmented and detached – functionally and from its surroundings. The question has been, how do we unfold the obvious potential of the site? How do we merge Asplund’s masterpiece, the lush observatory hill and the vibrant urban context into a cohesive experience?

THE SITE

Despite the architectural clarity of the main building, designed by Gunnar Asplund, the public library is in fact fragmented and detached – functionally and from its surroundings. The question has been, how do we unfold the obvious potential of the site? How do we merge Asplund’s masterpiece, the lush observatory hill and the vibrant urban context into a cohesive experience?

THE ROOFTOP PROMENADE

In one continuous movement a rooftop promenade extends the urban space into and past Asplund’s library, while experiencing life in- and outside the new extension. It merges public space, building and landscape into one.

THE ROOFTOP PROMENADE

In one continuous movement a rooftop promenade extends the urban space into and past Asplund’s library, while experiencing life in- and outside the new extension. It merges public space, building and landscape into one.

Bog promenaden

Én sammenhængende rampe skaber forbindelse gennem biblioteket fra A til Å og 00.00 til 99.99. I tråd med den alfabetiske og numeriske orden af bibliotekets bøger introduceres en indvendig bogpromenade, der naturligt inviterer til en oplevelsesrig tur mellem bibliotekets bøger og forskelligartede aktiviteter.

THE BOOK PROMENADE

Mirroring the rooftop promenade on a continuous, gently sloping ramp spanning from lobby to hilltop, the scientific literature is organized numerically, from 00.00 to 99.99, creating a spatial organization for books and movement of people. Essentially, it is a book promenade.

Program: Public library
Size: +16.500 m2
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Client: Stockholm Kommune
Year: 2007
Type: Open competition, 4. place
Team JAJA: Jakob Christensen, Jan Tanaka