A library in the backyard. A place for reading and just lingering.
     We propose a place with books, closer to the domestic vision of a library than that of an institutional one. It is a varied space, with dens or open spaces, sometimes darker, with oportunities for both social and individual activities. It is an extension of the spaces in the old house. It is that construction in the backyard which is less visible from the street, yet reveals itself as you go deeper into the garden, something which is specific for the houses in Bucharest. Its placement maximizes the outside space of the yard and continues the alignment of the old building creating a front marked by many entrances, oportunities.

Here, in the back of the house, it is shadow all the time. There are tall trees, cramped tall buildings and a north orientation which facilitate the ideal conditions for storing and preserving books. It finds its place between the tall neighbours and opens itself toward the yard. The facade is perfectly transparent, just a skin. The real enclosure is formed of layers of spaces: the catwalks and the shelves with books. These spaces offer various levels of transparency depending of the movement of the books, of the pivoting and gliding bookshelves and of the people inside. We imagine an active architecture which communicates openly with the outside and does not challenge the exsting one.

     Specific to a small space are the uncompartmentalised functions which are rather diffuse in the whole. Among the shelves with books the individual finds its place for sitting, reading, studying, working with others or just talking to them etc. Basically the individual can fluidly move inside the library, discovering in the meantime various events which stimulate him. 
     The most public spaces are on the first two levels where acces is unrestricted and designed for handicapped users. The third level is partially public and the fourth level is completely controlled, where the most sensitive documents are stored: drawings, rare books and photos.

     The project proposes a fast assembly, beeing 90% prefabricated. We propose a system based on metallic prefabricated structural modules of 2,60m X 5,00m X H 2,9m. These are then transported and arranged on site forming a structural core composed of steel pillars, steel beams and corrugated metallic sheets which counts for 80% of the main structure. The other elements such as bracings, brackets, catwalks, the elevator etc. are then fastened to the structure. Laslty, the closing elements (sandwich panels and curtain wall) are the attached. The whole structure rests on a basement of reinforced concrete which is distanced from the old building so as to not influence its foundations and structural integrity.