Two Volumes Are As One

Personal Info 

Name: Victoria Tyshchenko 

Nationality: Russian 

Institution / Company: Freelance Environmental Designer 

Instagram: _victoria_tyshchenko_ 

LinkedIn: Victoria Tyshchenko | LinkedIn

-FINALIST of Non Architecture Award 2022 Competition | Category: Architecture & Interior

In response to the demands of the 21st century, the classical library has evolved from a place for  storing books to a multifunctional environment with digital resources. The proposed library has education as its primary goal, but also includes many adaptable spaces for collaboration, exploration, and work. The building consists of two volumes of different proportions, the larger of which serves primarily educational functions, while the smaller offers more recreation; the gallery unites the volumes at the second floor level. The shaping and planning systems strongly emphasize the unity of the volumes despite their visual separation and clearly convey the idea of a modern library that is composed of variable and flexible spaces. Situated in an elegant area of Liverpool featuring predominantly Georgian and Victorian architecture, the modern library draws powerful visual inspiration from historic forms. In such a rich  architectural environment, it was important to work sensitively with the existing context. The library terminates a line of buildings dominated by old structures. The façade is designed to present a contrast to the existing historical context, through form and materiality, using glass and small amounts of translucent concrete. The facades look light and airy and while contrasting with the existing context, they are also harmonious. The project additionally focuses on soft integration without gross intervention within the urban fabric and shows that contemporary architecture can exist side by side with historical forms as well as a modern library can exist alongside the classical library of past centuries. 

Project Type

Commercial/Cultural 

Library