National Library of Latvia - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 08:10, 26 December 2020

2020-12-26T08:10:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:10, 26 December 2020
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−	~~[[Unusual_building_design_of_the_week\|See the full Unusual building of the week series here.]]~~
−
	[[File:National-library-of-latvia2.jpg\|link=Unusual_building_design_of_the_week]]		[[File:National-library-of-latvia2.jpg\|link=Unusual_building_design_of_the_week]]

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	The project was completed in 2014 to its 193 million euro budget, and is used for a variety of cultural purposes, including conferences and conventions. A prominent landmark on Riga’s skyline, it is considered one of Latvia’s greatest cultural projects of the 21st century.		The project was completed in 2014 to its 193 million euro budget, and is used for a variety of cultural purposes, including conferences and conventions. A prominent landmark on Riga’s skyline, it is considered one of Latvia’s greatest cultural projects of the 21st century.

−	~~= Find out more =~~	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
−		+
−	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===	+

	* Cathedral of Brasilia.		* Cathedral of Brasilia.
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	* Western City Gate, Belgrade.		* Western City Gate, Belgrade.

−	=== External resources ===	+	= External resources =

	* National Library - [https://www.gaisma.lv/en Official site]		* National Library - [https://www.gaisma.lv/en Official site]

−	[[Category:~~Projects_and_case_studies~~]] [[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]

Designing Buildings at 07:19, 23 August 2017

2017-08-23T07:19:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:19, 23 August 2017
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	[[File:National-library-of-latvia2.jpg\|link=Unusual_building_design_of_the_week]]		[[File:National-library-of-latvia2.jpg\|link=Unusual_building_design_of_the_week]]

−	The National Library of Latvia, also known as the Castle of Light, is a library and cultural institution ~~located~~ on the left bank of the Daugava river, Riga.	+	The National Library of Latvia, also known as the Castle of Light, is a library and cultural institution on the left bank of the Daugava river, Riga.

−	The National Library was originally formed in 1919, shortly after Latvia ~~had been~~ proclaimed as an independent country at the end of the First World War. The growth of the library over the decades meant that the stock was divided between various locations across the city of Riga.	+	The National Library was originally formed in 1919, shortly after Latvia was proclaimed an independent country at the end of the First World War. The growth of the library over the decades meant that the stock was divided between various locations across the city of Riga.

−	In 2008, construction ~~began on~~ the new library, designed by the architect Gunnar Birkerts, who had been given the commission back in 1989.	+	In 2008, construction of the new library began, designed by the architect Gunnar Birkerts, who had been given the commission back in 1989.

	Birkerts took as inspiration for his design, the idea of a crystal mountain, which in Latvian folklore symbolises the height of achievement and the commitment required to attain it. The ‘castle of light’ is an evocative metaphor in Latvian culture for lost wisdom that will be regained once the population is able to overcome occupation and war.		Birkerts took as inspiration for his design, the idea of a crystal mountain, which in Latvian folklore symbolises the height of achievement and the commitment required to attain it. The ‘castle of light’ is an evocative metaphor in Latvian culture for lost wisdom that will be regained once the population is able to overcome occupation and war.
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	The building is 68 m high, 170 m long, and takes the form of an asymmetric triangular slab topped with a jagged crown. It is a concrete structure clad with glass, with steel-framed higher floors. Its glassy slopes mirror the spires that shape the skyline of Riga’s Old Town across the river.		The building is 68 m high, 170 m long, and takes the form of an asymmetric triangular slab topped with a jagged crown. It is a concrete structure clad with glass, with steel-framed higher floors. Its glassy slopes mirror the spires that shape the skyline of Riga’s Old Town across the river.

−	Natural light floods down through three ~~skylight structures~~ into a large 8-storey atrium~~, above which is~~ the glass crown apex.	+	Natural light floods down through three skylights into a large 8-storey atrium below the glass crown apex.

	The project was completed in 2014 to its 193 million euro budget, and is used for a variety of cultural purposes, including conferences and conventions. A prominent landmark on Riga’s skyline, it is considered one of Latvia’s greatest cultural projects of the 21st century.		The project was completed in 2014 to its 193 million euro budget, and is used for a variety of cultural purposes, including conferences and conventions. A prominent landmark on Riga’s skyline, it is considered one of Latvia’s greatest cultural projects of the 21st century.
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	* National Library - [https://www.gaisma.lv/en Official site]		* National Library - [https://www.gaisma.lv/en Official site]

−	[[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]	+	[[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]] [[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]]

Editor at 12:54, 22 August 2017

2017-08-22T12:54:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:54, 22 August 2017
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		+	[[Unusual_building_design_of_the_week\|See the full Unusual building of the week series here.]]
		+
	[[File:National-library-of-latvia2.jpg\|link=Unusual_building_design_of_the_week]]		[[File:National-library-of-latvia2.jpg\|link=Unusual_building_design_of_the_week]]

Editor at 12:29, 22 August 2017

2017-08-22T12:29:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:29, 22 August 2017
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	The building is 68 m high, 170 m long, and takes the form of an asymmetric triangular slab topped with a jagged crown. It is a concrete structure clad with glass, with steel-framed higher floors. Its glassy slopes mirror the spires that shape the skyline of Riga’s Old Town across the river.		The building is 68 m high, 170 m long, and takes the form of an asymmetric triangular slab topped with a jagged crown. It is a concrete structure clad with glass, with steel-framed higher floors. Its glassy slopes mirror the spires that shape the skyline of Riga’s Old Town across the river.

−	~~Below the glass crown apex are~~ three skylight structures~~, below which is~~ a large 8-storey atrium ~~into~~ which ~~natural light floods down~~.	+	Natural light floods down through three skylight structures into a large 8-storey atrium, above which is the glass crown apex.

	The project was completed in 2014 to its 193 million euro budget, and is used for a variety of cultural purposes, including conferences and conventions. A prominent landmark on Riga’s skyline, it is considered one of Latvia’s greatest cultural projects of the 21st century.		The project was completed in 2014 to its 193 million euro budget, and is used for a variety of cultural purposes, including conferences and conventions. A prominent landmark on Riga’s skyline, it is considered one of Latvia’s greatest cultural projects of the 21st century.

Editor at 12:27, 22 August 2017

2017-08-22T12:27:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:27, 22 August 2017
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−	~~See the full Unusual building of the week series here.~~	+	[[File:National-library-of-latvia2.jpg\|link=Unusual_building_design_of_the_week]]
−		+
−	[[File:National-library-of-latvia2.jpg]]	+

	The National Library of Latvia, also known as the Castle of Light, is a library and cultural institution located on the left bank of the Daugava river, Riga.		The National Library of Latvia, also known as the Castle of Light, is a library and cultural institution located on the left bank of the Daugava river, Riga.
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	Birkerts took as inspiration for his design, the idea of a crystal mountain, which in Latvian folklore symbolises the height of achievement and the commitment required to attain it. The ‘castle of light’ is an evocative metaphor in Latvian culture for lost wisdom that will be regained once the population is able to overcome occupation and war.		Birkerts took as inspiration for his design, the idea of a crystal mountain, which in Latvian folklore symbolises the height of achievement and the commitment required to attain it. The ‘castle of light’ is an evocative metaphor in Latvian culture for lost wisdom that will be regained once the population is able to overcome occupation and war.

−	[[File:National-library-of-latvia1.jpg]]	+	[[File:National-library-of-latvia1.jpg\|link=File:National-library-of-latvia1.jpg]]

	The building is 68 m high, 170 m long, and takes the form of an asymmetric triangular slab topped with a jagged crown. It is a concrete structure clad with glass, with steel-framed higher floors. Its glassy slopes mirror the spires that shape the skyline of Riga’s Old Town across the river.		The building is 68 m high, 170 m long, and takes the form of an asymmetric triangular slab topped with a jagged crown. It is a concrete structure clad with glass, with steel-framed higher floors. Its glassy slopes mirror the spires that shape the skyline of Riga’s Old Town across the river.

Editor: Created page with "See the full Unusual building of the week series here. File:National-library-of-latvia2.jpg The National Library of Latvia, also known as the Castle of Light, is a library ..."

2017-08-22T12:27:43Z

Created page with "See the full Unusual building of the week series here. File:National-library-of-latvia2.jpg The National Library of Latvia, also known as the Castle of Light, is a library ..."

New page

See the full Unusual building of the week series here.

[[File:National-library-of-latvia2.jpg]]

The National Library of Latvia, also known as the Castle of Light, is a library and cultural institution located on the left bank of the Daugava river, Riga.

The National Library was originally formed in 1919, shortly after Latvia had been proclaimed as an independent country at the end of the First World War. The growth of the library over the decades meant that the stock was divided between various locations across the city of Riga.

In 2008, construction began on the new library, designed by the architect Gunnar Birkerts, who had been given the commission back in 1989.

Birkerts took as inspiration for his design, the idea of a crystal mountain, which in Latvian folklore symbolises the height of achievement and the commitment required to attain it. The ‘castle of light’ is an evocative metaphor in Latvian culture for lost wisdom that will be regained once the population is able to overcome occupation and war.

[[File:National-library-of-latvia1.jpg]]

The building is 68 m high, 170 m long, and takes the form of an asymmetric triangular slab topped with a jagged crown. It is a concrete structure clad with glass, with steel-framed higher floors. Its glassy slopes mirror the spires that shape the skyline of Riga’s Old Town across the river.

Below the glass crown apex are three skylight structures, below which is a large 8-storey atrium into which natural light floods down.

The project was completed in 2014 to its 193 million euro budget, and is used for a variety of cultural purposes, including conferences and conventions. A prominent landmark on Riga’s skyline, it is considered one of Latvia’s greatest cultural projects of the 21st century.

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===

* Cathedral of Brasilia.
* Elbphilharmonie Hamburg.
* Kunsthaus Graz.
* Sage Gateshead.
* Tempe Municipal Building.
* Tianjin Binhai Library.
* Unusual building design of the week.
* Western City Gate, Belgrade.

=== External resources ===

* National Library - [https://www.gaisma.lv/en Official site]

[[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]