Alpha: the Greater Angoulême
Multimedia Library

“The media library isn’t a building, it’s a stack of interlinked stairways and floors that provide physical and visual connections between places and the surrounding landscape,” explains Xavier Maunoury, architect of Loci Anima Architects. “It had to be designed as a place you pass through with flows and ease of access, fluid and with no barriers.” In this way, the design of the edifice focusses on the interconnection of five worlds, offering visitors the chance to have fun, rather than confronting them with intimidating temples of knowledge.

Learn about the acoustic solution Velio acoustic curtains

The garden level is where visitors are invited to dream and enter the world of literature. On this very large floor, the architects designed a room, which could be totally open, when no reading sessions are underway, so that the volume is not interrupted. They provided for acoustic curtains hung from the underside of a suspended technical volume, which is a very cool way to partition off a private area under a soaring ceiling nearly six metres high with significant sound reduction inside it. And all this simply and flexibly. The chosen shade of green highlights the relation with the media library garden. Like a tree-house appealing to a young audience.

Project name: Alpha: the Greater Angoulême Multimedia Library

Year to be delivered: 2015

Town-city / Country: Angoulême, France

Project owner or contracting authority: Greater Angoulême Conurbation Community

Contractor: Loci Anima architects

Acoustician: AVEL Acoustics

Photographer: Stéphane Chalmeau

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