Byblibrary

BYBLIBRARY

Byblos, Lebanon

Contemporary Library Reflecting the Ancient City’s Heritage

the aim is to create an interesting experience for visitors and staff through circulation and multiple zones of reading and study

dividing the library into separate and interconnected zones, where spaces can have their uniqueness and be connected by an interesting circulation Why would we want to work in offices or sit at libraries in a post-pandemic world?

how could people utilize their time in a public building?

Site History and Location

In the project of Byblibrary, I was tasked with designing a library in the very city that gave birth to the term 'library.' This Project is meant to be a tribute to the city's past, harmoniously blending influences from its Phoenician origins to the distinctive modular cross-vault stone architecture of traditional Lebanese homes. The library's design serves as a bridge between ancient heritage and modern functionality, encapsulating the essence of the city's architectural journey.

The Site

Byblibrary: Contemporary Library Reflecting the Ancient city of Byblos's Heritage

Massing Concepts

Inspired by the Vernacular building traditions

• Basic House

• Riwaq House

the Lebanese traditional house is formed by adding modular units

• modular units provide flexibility in form and allow the house to evolve, which means a basic house doesn’t have to remain so

• The essence of this modularity and flexibility is the main driver behind the project

• O-court House

• inspired by traditional and vernacular practices and tendencies to build a common area for socializing and gathering

• The courtyard controls the space in a way that it forms a basis in which spaces are formed around

• open public area that encourages socializing and acts as an essential area for accessibility, circulation, and meeting

Design

The clever positioning of the stacked cubes is driven by local climate and features passive energy-saving features that reduce the impact of direct sunlight, generate natural shade, decrease the heat load, and optimise the indoor climate. This intelligent creation of shade by the building elements also makes “hybrid” air conditioning possible. It also referenced the design of the local courtyard house, with closed exterior facades and rooms oriented towards an inner airspace that opens up to each other.

The positioning of the cantilevered cubes generates a spacious central atrium for gatherings and events. At the heart of the visitor experience this covered vertical space visually connects all functional areas, helps with way-finding, creates diverse visual relationships and access points, and assists with the management of large visitor numbers.

Byblibrary: Contemporary Library Reflecting the Ancient

WHY TIMBER? making the case for timber in a mediterranean climate

Pre-Fabrication. Mass timber buildings and Framework are made from engineered wood columns, beams, and panels that are pre-cut and prefabricated off site.

• At its core, voids bring light and air into the deep volume while visually and physically connecting the floors and functions

CLT TIMBER CONSTRUCTION:

• floor type: ground floor

• sub-type: suspended timber

• P/A ratio : 0.8

• insulation thickness: 9cm

U-value: 0.25

Green roofs

• construction type: flat roof

• roof type: inverted roof

• location: byblos, lebanon

• insulation thickness: 13cm

U-Value: 0.25