Le Studium , Straßburg/ Frankreich

Jean-Pierre Lott Architecte

January 2023

 

Jean-Pierre Lott Architecte recently delivered Le Studium, the new University library, learning centre and the University of Strasbourg Press in Strasbourg, France

 

The Studium project grew out of a desire on the part of the University of Strasbourg’s to equip itself with a different sort of building, at once a library and a student union building, in the vein of a Learning Centre. More than just a library, it is a third place, designed to foster sociability and sharing.

 

The building’s spaces also meet the expectations for current ways of working. Users require both formal and informal spaces. In addition to traditional reading rooms, they expect modular rooms with easy to move furniture as well as rooms dedicated to working in groups where silence is not required.

 

The project takes place at the interface between the historic centre and the Campus de l’Esplanade, the project marks the entrance to the campus from the city, being the first building visitors see. This exceptional urban situation, a given aspect of the project in addition to the brief itself, is a powerful signal in the cityscape, marking the presence of the university.

 

From an urban point of view, the project we propose has two faces: a largely transparent ground floor, inviting passers-by to enter the facility, resting atop which is the main body of the building, with its sinuous forms expressing lightness and movement. Beyond this image, the composition fulfils the requirements of the brief with regard to the spaces that comprise it. Thus, the transparent podium overlooking the public space offers a view of the ground floor, the lobby, the Student Union and the cafeteria.  On the upper floors we find the rooms containing the stacks of the collections and reading rooms organised on two levels, where much attention is paid to details of comfort and fluidity – symbolised by the curves.

 

The architecture of the façade flows from the work on light control. The cantilevered floor blocks direct sunlight: large sunshades brise-soleils protect the glazed bays and filter natural light. Their orientation is based on course of the sun in order to ensure that each space is protected from direct sunlight, whilst guaranteeing the required amount of natural light and views overlooking the city. The great kinetic veils give the project its constantly changing forms. Depending on the natural light, the location in the building, whether it is daytime, or night time, the building’s appearance is transformed.

 

The design and organisation of spaces meets two essential requirements for a functioning library:

- Control of light and its quality in interior spaces,

- Ease of movement and the quality of mobility throughout the building.

 

Once inside, visitors find themselves in a vast atrium flooded with light from above, which serves to balance the natural light penetrating the façades and filtering into the reading rooms. This atrium provides a view over all the activities in the building.

 

The atrium is characterised by the presence of a grand ramp and a bank of stairs and lifts that organise user flows throughout the building. The absence of corridors on the floors above ensures optimal diffusion of natural light and the grand ramp enhances the overarching concept of promenade and contemplation.

 

 

 

LE STUDIUM

 

University library, learning centre and the University of Strasbourg Press

 

2 Rue Blaise Pascal, 67000 Strasbourg

 

Université de Strasbourg

 

Architect: Jean-Pierre Lott - Architecte 

Louise Van Grieken – Project manager 

Serue (All trades)

Oasiis (BET HEQ)

Acoustb (Acoustics)

 

12 000 m²

 

€22,000,000 excl. VAT

 

Delivery October 2022

 

© Christophe Bourgeois