Erzsébet Szeréna ZOLTÁN
The project is a modern public library, which is intended to serve as a cultural, educational and social center for the city of Aktau (Kazakhstan). The design takes into account the coastal context, with the building seamlessly blending into the natural landscape, creating a series of open and light-filled spaces that are linked together by a central courtyard in the form of a circle. The library is designed to be a flexible and open space, that fosters learning, collaboration, and engagement with the community, and that is a space where architecture, landscape and public life converge.
The project will be a public library of about 5000 m² of area. It encompasses open areas, children's and young adults' libraries, archives, multimedia spaces, study rooms, administrative offices, exhibition and event spaces, a café and technical facilities. The design incorporates a central courtyard that serves as a focal point for the building, offering a welcoming and inviting atmosphere for people to gather and enjoy the outdoors. Terraces and green roofs are also included, creating more open and green spaces that link the interior to the exterior environment.
This building's design is based on a reinforced concrete skeleton structure, characterized by flat slabs and a regular grid of columns, creating adaptable and flexible interior spaces. The building foundations are using reinforced concrete bored piles foundation because of the ground condition of coastal area. The large glazed facades ensure optimal daylighting and the green roofs ensure a better thermal insulation and water treatment. The building uses energy-efficient environmental systems, accessible circulation and materials appropriate to the climate and context.