University of Indonesia Central Library

University of Indonesia Central Library
Perpustakaan Pusat Universitas Indonesia
The Central Library of the University of Indonesia.
General information
Status	Completed
Type	Library
Location	Depok, Indonesia
Address	Kampus Baru UI Depok
Coordinates	6°21′55″S 106°49′47″E
Completed	2011
Client	University of Indonesia
Technical details
Floor count	8
Floor area	28,900 square metres (311,000 sq ft)
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Denton Corker Marshall
Website
www.ui.ac.id/layanan/perpustakaan.html

The Central Library (Indonesian Perpustakaan Pusat) is the main library of the University of Indonesia in Depok, Indonesia. Selected in an open design competition, the design concept was conceived by Denton Corker Marshall. The new library conceptually bridges the ancient knowledge and the contemporary knowledge in a form inspired by the ancient stone steles and light-play.

Design

The library of the University of Indonesia is a result of an open design competition. The main purpose of the competition is to establish an international standard library and to replace the earlier Central Library that is deemed inadequate for a library. The new Central Library is conceived as a new social and knowledge hub for 30,000 students. The building is located in a highly visible and central site of the campus, on the side of the campus lake. The circular form of its layout is a response to the strong circular buildings and roadways which form the campus pattern.

The Central Library is conceived as an earth architecture which integrates building and landscape. A series of stone-like towers project from the mound-like landform. The towers were seen as abstracted stone tablets (prasasti) rising from the earth mound. These stone towers clad with granite stone claddings have varying heights. The part of the library which faces the lake is "eroded", forming a sectional opening to the entire masses in the form of narrow-glazed bands, at the same time allowing light to enter into the interior.

The "grass mound" of the library is a 5-story building of concrete roof and insulating soil cover. The grass mound is crisscrossed with bare lines, which represents the axis of existing landmarks of the University of Indonesia, which is the administrative Rectorate Building, the University Mosque and the Balairung (Public Hall).

An amphitheater is part of the landscape of the library, located on the lakefront to be used as an additional public realm. This amphitheater with mature mahogany trees conceptually represents the circular landform eroded on the lakeside. This feature identifies the main entrance to the library, as well as the lightwell for the library. Cultural performances or social gatherings are often held in the auditorium.

The layout of the interior's reading room is open, allowing interaction and offering clear lines of sight. The ground floor also houses bookshops, administration office, and internet reading room. Meeting rooms and auditoriums are located at the upper floors. ertical transportation are provided via pedestrian ramps to encourage visitors to explore the space. A series of curvilinear ramps fills the void between the bookcases and the reading rooms. The space programming of the Central Library is to avoid having sectional departmental libraries which would fragment student activities. By incorporating the main reading room with supporting facilities e.g. plaza, retails, and a temporary exhibition space, the library promotes interactions between different activities and promote the library as a place of gathering.

Rainwater is captured for use on site in a rainwater tank, to be reused. Wastewater is treated and recycled. Mature trees and vegetations around the 2.5-hectare site were maintained, which forms a part of the library's landscape. In 2010, the Central Library received a BCI Green Design Award 2010 for Institutional Architecture.

Cited works

• Imelda Akmal, ed. (2011). Indonesian Architects for the International Union of Architects Congress Tokyo 2011. Indonesia: Imaji Media Pustaka. ISBN 9786029260014.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)