In discussions and co-creation sessions with students, lecturers, researchers and other employees, the design of the University Library has been closely tailored to their needs. For example, this has led to a wide variety of study, work, teaching and learning spaces.
Encounters, studying and interaction
MVSA Architects and Architectenbureau J. van Stigt are preserving the character of the existing historic building with the addition of a spectacular glass roof and a new wing. The emphasis will be on encounters, studying and interaction. Alongside the UvA's teaching activities, the new University Library will therefore constitute one of the two main pillars of the campus.
Interior
Artist impressions of the interior: copyright MVSA Architects
Basement of the atrium
In the atrium, we will offer space for events, debate and exhibitions for anyone who is interested in science and culture.
Ground floor of the atrium
In the new University Library, a team of employees will be ready to serve all visitors. Library staff and information and collection specialists will support the students and staff, helping them to consult collections and find the right sources. Specialists in the areas of open access, publishing and copyright will also be available.
Study hall
You can study individually in lockable single rooms and in quiet study areas in which, together with other students, you can concentrate at reading tables or tables along the window. Some of the study spaces are equipped with desktop PCs. The former hospital wards of the Tweede Chirurgische Kliniek building are being converted into atmospheric reading rooms with bookcases all the way up to the ceiling.
Anatomical theatre
The listed anatomical theatre of the former hospital is being transformed into a representative teaching room. Classes and lectures will be given here, and we can also organise events or film evenings.
New wing
The library offers various types of study areas: quiet places where students can concentrate and various spaces for discussion, group work and brainstorming. All four collaboration rooms have mobile screens, whiteboards and flexible furniture. The collaboration room in the new wing is adjacent to a roof terrace. This terrace with roof garden offers fantastic views over the city centre.
Corridors
The signature corridor structure of the old hospital and the terrazzo floor are elements that will be preserved during the renovation. The corridors will feature study spaces and bookcases. In this way, historical and contemporary elements are being interwoven into a single appealing building.
Façade screen
Like a light-filtering veil between the University Library and the surrounding homes, a façade screen has been designed around the new part of the University Library. The façade screen consists of bronze-coloured letters that represent a sentence from Martinus Nijhoff's poem ‘Awater’. The sentence ‘Lees maar, er staat niet wat er staat’ (Read on, it does not say what it says) has been translated into the 24 languages in which the UvA teaches. The façade screen is the unique result of the collaboration between the architect, the letter designer, the producer and the UvA.
Guided tours
Guided tours for specific groups of UvA staff or those directly involved can be requested via universiteitskwartier-ho@uva.nl
The new University Library will house around 300,000 books, amounting to around 7 kilometres if they were all lined up. Curious to find out which other facilities you can expect in the new University Library? View the infographic with facts and figures.