NATIONAL LIBRARY IN NICOSIA: TODAY AND FUTURE

Kamiar Yazdani Aminreza Iranmanesh

Project idea

The idea of this project is to create the International Library of Nicosia, a cultural and intellectual anchor in a pivotal urban location. Positioned at the intersection of the historic Old City Wall and modern municipal and private sectors, the library occupies a critical juncture. The project responds to the challenge of preserving the dignity of the city’s heritage while introducing a new sense of connection and openness.
The goal is to foster a place where people feel a continuous bond with knowledge, with nature, and with each other. It is not merely a library in function, but a sanctuary of calm, continuity, and cultural exchange. The design integrates a central amphitheater as a gathering space, surrounded by fluid, open pathways that guide visitors through water features, green landscapes, and shaded zones. By balancing natural elements with urban flow, the library becomes a beacon of knowledge, accessible from all directions, and in harmony with the city’s past and future.

Project description

The International Library of Nicosia is a multifaceted cultural hub that harmoniously blends architecture, landscape, and functionality. The core of the design is a circular main building, surrounded by radiating elements that define distinct, controlled areas. On the ground floor, visitors are welcomed into an open lobby, café, and a striking amphitheater nestled below, visible as a dynamic focal point from the street. Ascending to the first floor, visitors encounter the main library and digital media spaces open, fluid, and interconnected. The second floor is a semi-open exhibition area, where a children’s library sits alongside curated spaces. Meanwhile, a separate archive is housed in a controlled environment, ensuring preservation. The third floor includes conference halls and depositories, with dedicated staff only circulation from basement to top. Outside, a series of circular reading zones framed by water features and lush greenery create a tranquil, inviting atmosphere. The library thus stands as a bridge between Nicosia’s history and its future, offering a sanctuary for learning, reflection, and communal gathering.
-Group members:-
Besma Mohammed .
Phanelia koye.

Technical information

The structural framework of the International Library of Nicosia was meticulously developed to balance broad-span openness with structural integrity. The design began with a bicycle wheeled structural system, chosen for its capacity to support expansive spans. To reinforce stability, steel V-columns were integrated, ensuring precise load transfer. The bicycle wheel framework evolved from two dimensional cable truss into a three dimensional steel truss system, enhancing stiffness in all directions. The floor structure employs 3D truss slabs, overlaid with a concrete topping. In the conference hall, a dedicated shear wall provides lateral stability, with loads transmitted through transfer structures down to the lower levels. The façade is structured on a diagrid system, offering both strength and a rhythmic aesthetic. This integrated approach ensures a calm, resilient structure, with the conference hall’s shear wall anchoring vertical loads, grounding the building’s stability from top to bottom.

Documentation

Show PDF 1Show PDF 2