Jun 25

Elsa Morante Library, Italy by DAPstudio

DAPstudio have restored and extended an existing building for use as the new Elsa Morante Public Library in Italy.
The existing building featured ornate cornice detailing which has been retained and restored, along with floors and the roof. A new extension complements the main building with its use of materials. The dialogue between the two volumes is the main theme leading the intervention and the  juxtaposition of the opaque and reflecting materials “nourish the relationship further”.
The new volume is narrower in profile at the top with a sloping side, echoing the historical building pitch of the existing building. The two buildings are interconnected through a glazed roof volume.

Inside the new volume, space reduces as you ascend the stairs. The interiors are monochrome, with a resin floor and enamel walls. Lighting is provided by a pattern of incandescent lamps.

The library hall is divided into four specific areas: a conference area with a small newspaper library, the children’s area, the bookcases and the reading tables. On the first floor there is a room for exhibitions or conventions.
The wooden bookcases are designed as aggregations, able to be assembled at varying heights and interchanged.

Location: Lonate Ceppino, Varese, Italy
Type of Project: Public Building, Library
Structural Engineers: G.B. Scolari Engineering
Project Architect: DAPstudio, Elena Sacco, Pierpaolo Danelli
Design Team: Fabio Pelizzari, Alessia Mosci, Paolo Vimaercati
Client: Lonate Ceppino Municipality
Funding: public funding
Tender date: 2006
Start on site date: 2007/2008
Contract duration: 2007/2008
Gross internal floor area: 422m²
Form of contract and/or procurement: competitive tender
Total cost: 400,000
M&E Consultant: eng. Luigi Piantoni, eng. Andrea Bronzoni
Planning Supervisor: arch. Pierpaolo Danelli
Lighting Consultant: Maurizio Quargnale
Main Contractor: Gruppo Edilia
Photography: Luigi Filetici

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