DCU Library & Information Resource Centre
Dublin City University is situated on the Northside of Dublin in Ireland. The O’Reilly Library and learning resource centre was the winner of the coveted SCONUL triennial Design Award, judged by librarians. The open design of the Library combines architectural elegance and a high level of sustainability with functionality, presenting users with an environment that is at once bright, flexible, accessible and comfortable.
Architecture
The brief for the Library required a modern, flexible facility, incorporating the latest advances in library technology and facilities, reflecting the status of the University as a young, progressive, dynamic learning establishment and as a centre of academic excellence. 10,000 sq.m. of floor space has been provided, accommodating 1500 seats, 250,000 books and 50,000 journals.
The building has been planned with a vertical hierarchy with the main library service activities at lower levels and academic activities on upper floors. The central concourse area is roofed with a glazed barrel vault allowing daylight to penetrate to the centre of the building.
‘Study Cells’ on each floor are expressed externally by the projecting bay windows and by the distinctive top lit lanterns at roof level which allow light and natural ventilation to enter the building.
