IIMB LIBRARY REDEFINED

Situated within a reputed institutional campus, the footfall of this library had significantly dropped. The requirement was to revitalize the space, make it more technically competent, and increase relevance to the current needs of the Gen Y users.

The dictionary definition of a library says:
‘A building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for use or borrowing by the public or the members of an institution.’
Reinventing the library, for the millennials, we coined down a few definitions which we then translated into design:
‘Technologically versed repository of multi-format content, responding to the current needs entwined with the existing library fabric, facilitating flexible functions and catalysing interactions between the students, faculty, and visitors.’

Preserving the traditional functional requirements, the additional functions are seamlessly woven into the pre-existing strong library narrative using colours as a common thread. Studies prove that using colour can increase the attention span of the users and reduce boredom. Hence the element of colour has been introduced to functions like acoustics, AI intervention, pedestal for faculty works, comfortable seating, etc.

Functions like discussion rooms, formal and informal reading, retiring zones, laptop bays, digital display areas, etc are tucked in addition to softer, flexible spaces. The remodelled library respects and responds to the existing architectural expression of a heritage structure with comfort for the new India.

Client: Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore
Size of project on 3 floors: 51,000 sq.ft.
Project cost: Rs.5.4 Crores.
Context: Library redefined
within a large reputed institutional campus.
Materials used:
Acoustical tiles by Saint Gobain
Baffles by Saint Gobain
Perforated Gypsum ceiling by Armstrong
MDF Board with Duco paint finish
Veneer by Archidply
Furniture by DuPont Corian
Wooden flooring by Kronoswiss
Glass partitions by Saint Gobain with Dorma fittings

Principal and Lead Architect: V. Vishwanath
Lead Interior Designer: Vidya Vishwanath
Project Engineer: Jagadish Sulibhavi
Project Architect: Shreya Roy
Contractor: Effects Engineers and Contractors

IIMB LIBRARY REDEFINED by VISHWANATH V in India won the WA Award Cycle 36. Please find below the WA Award poster for this project.