Central Library, University of Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia
University of Indonesia
Project 2009 – 2011
Winner of a National Design Competition, the 28,900m2 library is designed as a series of abstracted stone tablets – ‘prasasti’ – rising from a circular grass-covered earth mound.
Maintaining a stable ambient temperature, the lower levels housed in the mound are storage for manuscripts, books and research / reference materials. Book stacks are arranged on the outer perimeter of the circular base. Closer to the centre are the reading rooms, where the composition opens up to dramatic views of the lake.
Narrow bands of with glass openings are carved into granite towers of varying heights that rise from the mound. Overlooking the lake, the upper floors house a variety of meeting and seminar rooms.
Rain water is captured for use on site, waste water is treated and recycled and energy consumption is minimised. Vegetation on the 2.5 hectare site plays an important part of the design with existing mature trees and vegetation retained and incorporated into the landscape design.
Housing up to five million items and visited by up to 20,000 people a day, the library is one of the largest in Asia.
