DESA1002 'Continuous City' Nikki Akbari

Abstract

Situated beside a public plaza in Tunis, this historical research library strives for cultural significance, modern aesthetics and practicality. With an underground level for the storage of books, the ground floor integrates open-planned administration and reading facilities to cater for the most frequent users. The first and second floors house books and computer stations to facilitate research, whilst the third level olds a cafe and lecture rooms to allow for school, community and corporate functions. The four levels are connected through stairs and two elevators, separated for use between the public and library staff. This functionality extends into the structure itself, where the columns allow for tables, shelves and other furniture to be built around them. Where the ground and top levels have glass cladding to allow natural light, each employs semi-transparent material on the south-facing facade to alleviate impacts of the hot Tunisian sun. Here, cultural elements of Tunisia are enhanced through a series of historical quotes transposed onto the glass facades. The middle levels are with small windows allowing light to enter above the shelves and computers, preventing damage to the books. In this sense, the library seeks a culmination of two worlds, retaining inherent aspects of Tunisian culture, in a fashion commensurate with modern notions of functionality.