Central lending library

Rennes

The library’s task is to distribute books and documents in the region. Mobile libraries drop off documents in different communities or lend them directly to readers. Horizontal under its wide, shaped canopy, the library is placed at the heart of the open landscape of sports facilities on the university campus in the style of a Frank Lloyd Wright prairie house.

Canopies and frame in white concrete. Envelope made from “Manhattan” composite panels forming modules which join onto glazed frame modules. Like building with Meccano.

Location

Rennes-Beaulieu Science campus, Rennes, 35000 Rennes

Client

Rectorat de l’Académie de Rennes

Project cost (ex.tax)

€2,2 million (1987 value)

Area

1 400 sq.m.

Scope of services

Standard public works contract

Competition

1987

Completion

1990

Themes

Technical sophistication, simple organisation, context, light

Materials

white concrete

Lead architect

Pargade

Engineering consultant

SINCOBA