Following from its success with Berlin's Reichstag, Foster and Partners has unveiled plans for a new library at Berlin's largest further education institution, the Free University.
The library is a bulbous curved structure with a skin of aluminium and glass panels supported on a steel frame. It is startlingly different from the buildings that surround it, which were designed and built to Le Corbusier's Modulor system by Jean Prouvé and Candilis Josic Woods Schiedhelm between 1963 and 1973.

Work started on the dome-shaped building, which is similar to the architect's National Science Centre in Scotland, in July. It is due for completion in 2003.

Six of the university's courtyards have been used to form the site for the five-storey library, which will be occupied by the Faculty of Philosophy.

The library's curved form and the cavity between its double skin create a solar motor to assist with natural ventilation. The inner membrane of fibreglass filters sunlight and creates a pleasant atmosphere for study. Scattered window openings allow glimpses of the courtyard.

Foster is also working on the renovation of existing university buildings. The framed steel panels of the older buildings are being copied and replaced with patinated bronze elements that are faithful to the architect's intentions but also meet contemporary technical requirements and energy-saving standards. The total cost of the project is DM102m (US$46m).

Source

World Architecture