The steep topography of the plot and also the compact condition of the urban plot of this autonomous Spanish city located on the north coast of Africa on the border of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, conditions the new Library of Ceuta.
The orthogonal geometry of this ancient settlement is turned from that of the actual urban grid. This fact establishes a triangular geometry for the structure over the archaeological site and the urban value of the Arab city is included in the geometry of new building.
The Library is conceived as a compact volume that preserves the area as the core of the public spaces, creating a sense of openness and transparency between reading spaces and visitors to the Marinid centre.
The library is organized in terraces placed on this slope and its basement level includes an Arab ruin of the Xiv century that is transformed into an archaeological centre. the lecture rooms are stacked in several levels overlooking the void where groups of hanging triangular lamps with peaks in both geometries are set over the archaeological centre.
Two different entrances in two levels, one to the Library and other to the visitors centre, are placed linking the inside to the nearby streets. Seven triangular concrete pillars support the building with a program organized vertically.
The third floor with the general book display is placed over the concrete structure that covers the archaeological site. Over it a light steel structure in six levels stacks the program being the highest one the book depot, archives and offices.
The compact folded volume is entirely wrapped up in an aluminium-perforated skin that reduces glare and solar gain and maximises the use of natural daylight reducing long-term energy costs.
The mesh mitigates the sometimes-harsh qualities of daylight thus minimising the use of artificial light to avoid contrast and helping to illuminate the depth of the space. the final façade includes different glass-metal layers, energy efficient: an interior glass one and an outer metal one, as a veil, that interplay with the changing light conditions protecting the inside from the sun and heat.
Slight variations in the make up of the panels, for different orientations, provide the library with a differentiated yet uniform skin, emphasizing the faceted shape of the building. Between them a gallery permits easy maintenance of glass openings and simple installations.
A concrete plied basement runs along the steep streets and several concrete structural voids are cut up in the double façade of the Library as viewpoints towards the city. On the terrace in the roof level an open reading room is placed, shaded by the aluminium-perforated skin that wraps up the building that filters sun and open views towards both seas, Europe and Africa.
Location: Ceuta, Spain Architects: Paredes Pedrosa Architect in Charge: Ángela García de Paredes, Ignacio Pedrosa Project Team: Lucía Guadalajara, Álvaro Rábano, Clemens Eichner, Álvaro Oliver, Guiomar Martín, Eva Urquijo, Ángel Camacho, Ignacio Cordero, Blanca Leal, Roberto Lebrero, Luis Calvo Archaeologist: Fernando Villada Technical Control: Juan Antonio Zoido Structure: Alfonso Gómez Gaite Mechanical engineer: Jg Ingenieros Contractor: Acciona Infraestructuras Area: 6,159 sqm Year: 2013 Client: Ministerio de Cultura Photographs: Fernando Alda , Manuel García de Paredes