Law, economics, and literature library and cidopial archive, Bordeaux

Built in the 1960s by Sainsaulieu et Daurel, the library is part of a large panorama. The lightness of its metal structure, its large open-plan floorplates and the building’s resultant transparency extend the views down this perspective.

Our extension enlarges the building via a horizontal structure that respects the existing composition and reinforces the contrast between the lightness of the reading room building and the solidity of the book tower.

A ceiling punctuated with lightwells illuminates the reading rooms. The large floorplate gives the reader an overall vision of the space. The exterior walls are covered by bookshelves, above which high-level windows diffuse light.