Dalarna Media Library

Dalarna Media Library designed by ADEPT is organized as a ’spiral of knowledge’ identifying a new library culture that stages a wide specter of experiences and inspiration. The natural terrain of the surrounding landscape is continued as a ramp that spirals up through the central atrium of the library - its heart - where all search of information and orientation take place.

The spiral of knowledge creates a varied study environment allowing the students to move about in the heart space of the library or to withdraw to more quiet areas along the facade. The variation of sound levels and the differentiation of activities creates a versatile library that is rich in experiences. The building has its very own spatial character uniting library and multi-media functions to create synergy with the existing university complex.

The characteristic double facade with reflecting horizontal lamellae fronting a wood cladding was developed in collaboration with Danish artist Jeppe Hein. Instead of creating an isolated piece of art work Jeppe Hein and ADEPT has developed the competition design for the facade into a detailed and refined expression with an immateriality that mirrors its surroundings and the people in it with broken reflections. The lamellae are made from highly polished stainless steel while their wooden background is a Siberian larch.

The new library is the main attraction and new entrance arriving to the university. To emphasize this, the surrounding spaces are transformed from a large parking lot to an integrated urban plaza, which handles the user and visitor flows at the same time as it optimizes the public spaces around the building into defined activity zones and intimate recreational areas. The library functions are pushed out to the new plaza marking the new main entrance with life and activities. Dalarna Media Library will come to attract the community of Falun acting as a motivating generator for both citizens and local businesses.