Universiteitsbibliotheek

__Universiteitsbibliotheek__

Universiteitsbibliotheek is the Delft Technical University Library. It is designated as the national library for technical and natural sciences. While this very modern library is renowned for having a great selection of over 80,000 books and access to technology, the library’s most famous characteristic is its architecture.

The architects that worked on Universiteitsbibliotheek are Francine Houben and Mecanoo Architecten. When a new auditorium was built on the campus, a renovation revolution sparked for the university. They built a new library right next to the auditorium. What makes the architecture of the library so special? The roof of the library is made of grass, and it is used as a recreation and study space. The library itself provides 1000 study spaces, with 300 of these containing computer terminals. A large cone-shaped structure found on top of the roof provides even more study spaces.

Not only does the grass roof provide a fun place for many people on campus, the roof also reaps many benefits for the library. For instance, earth is a great insulator; therefore, the library does not experience the typical dramatic temperature changes of the seasons. Along with this, the grass soundproofs the library, providing a quiet place for studying. The grass roof is also used as a natural heating and cooling system. In the summer, evaporation causes the air in the library to naturally be cooler. Also, a storage unit is found beneath the grass. This storage unit is filled with warm water in the winter to heat the library, and it is pumped with cold water in the summer to cool the library.

For the travelers that love clever architecture, Universiteitsbibliotheek will be a great experience!