courtesy UGO architecture

Culture island – model of a public library for a small towns up to 15 thousand inhabitants.

The starting point for creating the architectural concept of a model municipal public library was the research carried out in 2010 by the Office for Readership Research of the National Library and the Public Opinion Research Centre TNS OBOP. The research shows that 56% Poles did not read a single book during the year. Thus we started to think about how to make the citizens and the authorities of the municipality (the latter will finance the project) interested with the idea of model public libraries in spite of the poor readership. In the surveys carried out among municipality citizens, which were used for planning long-term development strategies, the citizens rarely indicated the need to build a new library. The facilities that dominate their wish lists are public facilities such as kindergartens, large self-service shops, or recreational facilities such as sports halls or swimming pools. Therefore, in our concept we have combined the facilities „desired" by the citizens with a the library, which is the basic element with other facilities added to it (diagram).

courtesy UGO architecture

The library project was situated in Mosina, a town in Poznan district 22 kilometres from Poznan itself. Thanks to being relatively near the metropolis of Wielkopolska province it has been developing dynamically for the past few years, especially due to large-scale property development investments. At first the town considered the offered library project with reluctance, because in the building of Mosina Cultural Centre in Dworcowa Street there is already a municipal library, which has functioned for over 60 years. However, the authorities expressed their interest in combining it with other facilities necessary for the municipality (a new town hall or a swimming pool). They indicated two parcels for the project, both in Strzelecka Street. The parcels in this street are ideal for the concept of the project as it is the so-called exit street, virtually on the border of Mosina and the village Krosinek.

courtesy UGO architecture

Around this street, by 2016 according to the municipal authorities and developers, housing estates consisting of detached and terraced houses for over 3.5 thousand residents will have been built (they are under construction now). Yet despite so many people coming to live there, the town does not plan any public facilities in those areas. So, as it is usually the case in such areas, the only buildings uniting the new community will be private self-service shops such as Lidl or Biedronka. A public library situated there and combined with an attractive facility such as a swimming pool would not only allow the integration (for activities and attractions for all age groups see the diagram) of the new community (a phenomenon typical of small towns, the so-called city bedrooms), but also make new social groups interested in books.

+ All images courtesy UGO architecture

‘Foster + Partners: the Art of Architecture’ will be staged at Galeri PETRONAS, Kuala Lumpur, from 7 March to 12 May 2013. The exhibition is the first major survey of the studio's work to be held in South East Asia and follows critically acclaimed recent shows in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Arranged around the themes of infrastructure, high-rise, urban design, history and culture – all within the context of a sustainable agenda – the works on display highlight the incredible diversity of the practice's work. Details of a number of new projects underway in Malaysia will be revealed, including Arcoris Mont'Kiara and IB Tower, a 58-storey tower in the heart of Kuala Lumpur City Centre. The exhibition is also an opportunity to learn more about completed buildings, such as The Troika and Petronas University, winner of the 2007 Aga Khan Award for Architecture, as well as projects around the world, from the Millau Viaduct in France and London's Swiss Re headquarters to the latest design for the eco-city at Masdar, Abu Dhabi.

Visitors can learn more about the integrated design process, in which architects, engineers and specialist in-house teams work closely alongside each other; the principles of sustainability that underpin every project; as well as the use of different tools and technology. While the computer has revolutionised the way designers work, the language of drawing and model making still play an important role. Through sketches, models and a special exhibit exploring the process from first client meeting to completed building and post-occupancy studies, 'Foster + Partners: the Art of Architecture' will offer a unique insight into the workings of the studio.

courtesy Peter Ruge Architekten

Peter Ruge Architekten sets new standards of sustainability through the design of "Passive Houses", currently being built in southern China. With a 95% energy saving over that of a conventional Chinese residential building, the Passive House “Bruck” is the first housing of it's kind to be realized in the countries damp, warm, southern climate. Construction will start in February 2013.

courtesy Peter Ruge Architekten

The Passive House “Bruck” is a model apartment complex, consisting of 36 one room staff flats, 6 two room executive suites and 4 three-bedroom model apartments. This design approach plays a central role in the future strategy of recognized Chinese real estate development group Landsea. The company's plans to establish a research and development centre in Changxing acts to test, improve and implement innovative, energy saving and sustainable building practices in China.

courtesy Peter Ruge Architekten

Peter Ruge Architekten planned model apartments so that Chinese families, interested in the benefits of sustainable housing, could be provided with an opportunity to temporarily reside in the building. Through this direct experience, prospective clients are able to gain their own understanding of passive house living has to offer, as the building demonstrates maximum comfort and quality of residence. This aims to reduce any prior reservations had towards the success of passive house design in extreme weather conditions.

courtesy Peter Ruge Architekten

The local climate has shaped the impression of the facade: triple glazed window units have been specifically used in all private rooms and common areas, whilst fixed sun shading elements protect the glass facade in the warmer half of the year. The closed areas of the highly insulated facade act to protect the building shell from intense sunlight through a screen of coloured terracotta rods.

courtesy Peter Ruge Architekten

Peter Ruge Architekten, together with their client Landsea, and in cooperation with engineers from the German Passivhausinstitut Dr. Feist, have achieved an important architectural milestone through the design of Passive House “Bruck”, and the successful introduction of sustainable and future-oriented passive house standards to the Chinese residential housing market.

+ Project facts

Passive House “Bruck” in Changxing, China

Brief: Passive house as a model apartment complex, consisting 36 one room staff flats, 6 two room executive suites and 4 three-bedroom model apartments, entrance hall, common rooms, garage

Client: Landsea Europe R&D GmbH
Architect: Peter Ruge Architekten
Peter Ruge, Kayoko Uchiyama, Matthias Matschewski, Jan Müllender, Alejandra Pérez Siller, Duan Fu

Structural Engineering: Shanghai Landsea Building Technology Co. Ltd, Shanghai
Mechanical & Electrical: Shanghai Landsea Architecture Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai
Thermal Structural Physics: Passivhaus Institut Dr. Feist, Darmstadt
Location: Changxing, Zheijang Province, P.R. China

Size: GFA Building: 2.200 sqm
Duration: 2011 – 2013
Completion: 2013

+ All images and drawings courtesy Peter Ruge Architekten