The New Building

a architect(s)

18 Firm
Gunnar Birkerts Architects; Modra Gelza Birojs; Gelzis-Smits-Arhetips; Hill Interanational.
19 Project Architect
Gunnar Birkerts
20 Type of project
new building

b aims of the new building

21 Short description of the main objectives and purposes of the project

Six buildings under one roof, more space for readers, individual and group study rooms, dining and other amenities, barrier-free environment for disabled, increased shelving space, incl. open stacks, environment more suitable for material preservation, new ICT and audiovisual equipment, conference, seminar, exhibition facilities.

c special features

22 Site
Situated on a river bank, facing the historical city centre.
23 Architecture

The building references several Latvian folklore and literary archetypes – the mythical palace that embodies knowledge and freedom, the glass mountain that symbolizes the hardships one has to overcome to reach his goal, and the shape of the traditional barn architecture. Separate technical building.