X-shaped library with each of its four protruding planes points to a landmark in Caen, France-finally opened to the public in Normandy. Designed by OMA and Barcode Architects, the design of the Bibliothèque Alexis de Tocqueville is characterized by a cross-shaped floorplan responding to the library’s urban context.

Located on the Presqu’île de Caen, at the intersection of the city's historic core and an area of redevelopment, the building encompasses 12,500 square-metre multimedia library, which is a prominent new public center for Caen. The project was led by OMA partner Chris van Duijn and project architect Francisco Martinez.

Image © Philippe Ruault

The main public space of the library is its lifted panoramic reading room from which the cityscape of Caen enters the world of books and media within the building. Floor-to-ceiling load bearing glass façade panels maximize the transparency and openness of the reading room. 

Image © Delfino Sisto Legnani, Marco Cappelletti

Thanks to the strength of the glass facade, the interior is completely column free, allowing the four different sectors, each respectively related to a pedagogic discipline - human sciences, science and technology, literature, and the arts -to be optimally connected. 

The first floor contains a variety of work and reading spaces and, in addition to 120,000 documents, a digital extension of the physical collection has been integrated into the bookshelves.

Image © Delfino Sisto Legnani, Marco Cappelletti

''This completion marks the beginning of a larger transformation within Caen. The library pivots from the historical center to the new urban master plan, stretching from city to sea. The cross-shaped building marks this central location between the old city and the new, and is a symbol for an institution deeply invested in the future of Caen,'' said OMA Partner, Chris van Duijn.

Image © Philippe Ruault

Bibliothèque Alexis de Tocqueville follows OMA’s notable library designs: Très Grande Bibliothèque (1989), the Two Libraries for Jussieu (1992), the Seattle Central Library (2004) and the Qatar National Library to be completed in 2017. 

Image © Delfino Sisto Legnani, Marco Cappelletti

In an age of digitalization, the library of Caen forms a continuation of OMA's theoretical reflection on the library as a collective space that is adaptable to the changing practices of gathering and processing information, offering space to both print and digital media.

Image © Delfino Sisto Legnani, Marco Cappelletti

Bibliothèque Alexis de Tocqueville marks the beginning of a new series of engagements for OMA in France. Due for completion in the second half of 2017 are the university campus Lab City in Paris Saclay and the refurbishment of a late 19th century industrial building to house Fondation d'Entreprise Galeries Lafayette in Le Marais, Paris.

Image © Philippe Ruault

Image © OMA

Image © OMA

Image © Philippe Ruault

Top image © Philippe Ruault

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