University of Aberdeen Library, Sir Duncan Rice Higher Education Building Photos, SHL Architects News
Aberdeen University Library
Higher Education Building in Northeast Scotland, UK design by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects (shl)
post updated 21 June 2023 ; 13 Jun 2013
University of Aberdeen New Library News
RIBA Awards 2013 : RIBA National Award Winner
Design: Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, Denmark
photo : Adam Mørk
Sir Duncan Rice Library News
RIAS Awards shortlisting
“This is a contemporary international structure within one of Scotland’s most important historic settings. Its internal arrangement cleverly challenges preconceived notions of “the library”.”
RIAS Awards shortlisted building, 25 Mar 2013
26 Sep 2012
University of Aberdeen Library Building
Design: Schmidt Hammer Lassen
University of Aberdeen New Library by schmidt hammer lassen architects has Official Opening
Sir Duncan Rice Library
On September 24th 2012, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain marks the official opening of the University of Aberdeen New Library in Scotland. The building, won in an architectural competition in 2005 by schmidt hammer lassen architects, is replacing the University’s former library from 1965 – the Queen Mother Library.
photo : Adam Mørk
The 15,500 m² new library, which provides a 21st century learning and research environment for students, university staff, visitors and the public, is a positive example of how architecture can make a difference. Since the building was put into service in September 2011, the statistics have shown a significant increase in the use of the library, and more than 700,000 visitors have entered the building this first year of operation.
“The University of Aberdeen New Library functions as a meeting place and a cultural centre for the students of the University as well as the Aberdeen community. The façade of the building shimmers during the day and glows softly at night, creating a luminous landmark – a beacon – for the city of Aberdeen,” said Morten Schmidt, Founding Partner of schmidt hammer lassen architects, and he continued: “The increase in visitors shows that the new library has affected the students’ everyday behaviour. The students come to study in the new library and to be a part of the social community of the University.”
photos : Adam Mørk
The requirements in the architecture competition brief were to create a magnificent academic library for science and research, which would at the same time be a meeting place engaging the local community.
Chris Banks, University Librarian & Director, Library, Special Collections & Museums, University of Aberdeen, said: “The building is a bold and affirmative statement from the University. It says ‘We mean business’ and it also says ‘you are welcome here’. I love the way in which academics demonstrate their pride in the building: by bringing colleagues from other universities into it and also by bringing along members of their own families. I’m also delighted that the building has attracted so many more students to use the library and the way in which it provides for both social and formal meeting spaces. It has, for the first time, allowed us to truly showcase our very significant special collections.”
The University of Aberdeen was established in 1495, and the University library holds one of the world’s greatest collections of books, some of which date back to the thirteenth century. The architecture of the new building creates an advanced learning environment in which the latest technology adds value to a magnificent collection of over one million books.
photos : Adam Mørk
Architecturally, the heart of the library is a spiralling atrium connecting all eight storeys, and as a dynamic vortex, this space contrasts the clean-cut exterior profile. Furthermore, the building is designed to meet the highest sustainable standards, minimising long-term running costs and energy use. The library has been certified BREEAM Excellent. Consisting of an irregular pattern of insulated panels and high-performance glazing, the façade not only allows plenty of daylight to penetrate into the building but also offers a great view over the city of Aberdeen.
At the opening ceremony, the University of Aberdeen New Library will be named the ‘Sir Duncan Rice Library’ in recognition of the vision, ambition and leadership of the University’s former Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Sir Duncan Rice.
schmidt hammer lassen architects has an extensive track-record of libraries, from university and national libraries to public libraries. Currently, three libraries are under construction: The largest public library in Scandinavia, called Urban Mediaspace in Aarhus, Denmark, to be finished in 2014, and two libraries in Canada, one in Halifax and another in Edmonton. The most well-known library by schmidt hammer lassen architects is the extension to The Royal Library in Copenhagen, Denmark.
schmidt hammer lassen architects has worked out of London since 2006. Among the most renowned learning environments designed by the architectural practice is City of Westminster College in London, which had its official opening in May this year.
photos : Adam Mørk
Aberdeen University Library – Building Information
Title: Sir Duncan Rice Library
Architect: schmidt hammer lassen architects
Client: University of Aberdeen
Area: 15,500 m²
Construction sum: € 40 million excl. VAT
Competition: 2005, 1st prize in restricted international competition
Status: Construction period 2009 – 2011
Engineer: Arup & Partners Ltd
Quantity Surveyors: Davis Langdon LLP
Landscape Architect: schmidt hammer lassen architects
Interior: schmidt hammer lassen design
29 + 25 Nov 2011
University of Aberdeen Library
Design: Schmidt Hammer Lassen
Photos of completed Aberdeen University Library building:
photo © Niels Lomholt
University of Aberdeen Library Building
Sir Duncan Rice Library Aberdeen Building information from University of Aberdeen
schmidt hammer lassen, Denmark
Location: Aberdeen University, Aberdeen, Northeast Scotland, UK
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Comments / photos for the Aberdeen Library Building – Scottish Project by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects page welcome