The city library in Heilbronn forms the heart of a lively cultural and shopping center with a cinema, theater, university and various institutions and companies. Built in 2001, the outdated library rooms were now to be transformed into a contemporary library with a high quality of stay through functional zoning and diverse uses. The starting point for the design concept is the changing culture of reading and communication as well as the goal of meeting the needs of diverse user groups in the long term.

During a conversion and renovation phase lasting around two years, DIA Dittel Architekten from Stuttgart created both communal zones and places of retreat, areas for multimedia learning and events as well as office and meeting rooms on around 3,500 m² and two floors. An integrated children's and youth area with online offerings, games and magazines provides an adventure space for the whole family - and forms a bridge between the digital and analog worlds. As the library serves a broad public as a platform for exchange and networking, it takes on an important social and cultural function. For this reason, all project participants were involved in the design process from the very beginning.

At the heart of the design concept is a space-defining staircase. It establishes the formal and direct relationship between the library floors and combines a variety of usage scenarios. On the upper floor, the sculptural staircase forms a large atrium and serves as a back wall for the children's area. Integrated reading and play niches, visually reminiscent of tree houses, open up exciting visual references to the first floor. A dynamic pathway deliberately invites exploration, while flowing transitions connect the individual themed worlds with an interplay of open and closed user areas. Room-in-room situations open up additional functions, such as a music and podcast studio or office and group rooms. A lounge-style reading room covering 220 m² provides space for events. As a "window to the city", it can be used independently, as access to the café bar and sanitary facilities is guaranteed independently of library use.

www.di-a.de

Photos:
Martin Baitinger

(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 04|24)