{"id":6301,"date":"2022-01-18T11:21:07","date_gmt":"2022-01-18T11:21:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pabconference.com\/fbs-e-library-at-the-university-of-dhaka-renovation-of-a-masterwork\/"},"modified":"2022-01-18T11:21:07","modified_gmt":"2022-01-18T11:21:07","slug":"fbs-e-library-at-the-university-of-dhaka-renovation-of-a-masterwork","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wijhha.com\/index.php\/2022\/01\/18\/fbs-e-library-at-the-university-of-dhaka-renovation-of-a-masterwork\/","title":{"rendered":"FBS e-library at the University of Dhaka: Renovation of a masterwork"},"content":{"rendered":"

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FBS Online Library at University of Dhaka: Renewing a Masterpiece<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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January 18, 2022, 3:20 pm <\/p>\n

Last modified date: January 18, 2022 at 03:51 PM <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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In 2015, the old library was transformed into a new, open and attractive public space, and this was done without distorting the existing structure <\/h2>\n

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January 18, 2022, 3:20 pm <\/p>\n

Last modified date: January 18, 2022 at 03:51 PM <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n The ‘trimmed egg’ space houses magazine shelves and reading tables. Photo: Nour Alam \/ TBS
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The ‘trimmed egg’ space houses magazine shelves and reading tables. Photo: Nour Alam \/ TBS\n <\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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The word \u201clibrary\u201d usually produces a serious feel, conjuring up in our minds the image of a stack of books kept in rows on dark gothic wooden shelves and serious-looking librarians, sitting on a platform, always asking you to remain silent.<\/strong><\/p>\n

But this idea has changed dramatically over the past few years, at least among architects around the world. <\/p>\n

These days, while designing libraries, modern architecture places more emphasis on the concept of ‘connection’ rather than ‘collecting’. <\/p>\n

This is exactly what we found in the online library of the School of Business Studies (FBS) at the University of Dhaka. <\/p>\n

The red steps leading to the mezzanine have been converted into an informal reading area. Photo: Nour Alam \/ TBS
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The red steps leading to the mezzanine have been converted into an informal reading area. Photo: Nour Alam \/ TBS\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

This project mainly involved working on an existing structure to create a new electronic library for business studies students. <\/p>\n

SthaNiK Architectural Consultants, an architectural firm based in Dhaka, reconstructed a 4,000 square foot library in 2015. The principal architects were Saiqa Iqbal Meghna and Suvro Sovon Chowdhury. Communications company Robi was the sponsor of the project. <\/p>\n

The library is located on the second floor of a 12,000-square-foot rectangular building, surrounded by the college building and plenty of green space. <\/p>\n

It has seating arrangements for over 400 students. 24 employees work three shifts and there are 76 computers and more than 10,000 books and magazines for students. <\/p>\n

The books are arranged in trolley shelves stacked in parallel, which saves a lot of space. Photo: Nour Alam \/ TBS
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The books are arranged in trolley shelves stacked in parallel, which saves a lot of space. Photo: Nour Alam \/ TBS\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The library area includes a teachers’ lounge, a librarian’s office, an officers’ room, a group discussion center and a coffee corner. <\/p>\n

how was it<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

According to the architects, upon handing over the task of renovating it, they decided to improvise in the already existing library of the Faculty of Business Studies. <\/p>\n

While doing so, their main idea was to stick to the essence of ‘contemporary’, which is deeply rooted in the basic idea of \u200b\u200bthe building itself, an architectural masterpiece by Sthapatyacharya Muzharul Islam, considered the father of modern architecture in Bangladesh.<\/p>\n

Within the masterpiece of architect Islam, the task was to expand and transform the existing library into an electronic library. <\/p>\n

The books are arranged in trolley shelves stacked in parallel, which saves a lot of space. Photo: Nour Alam \/ TBS
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The books are arranged in trolley shelves stacked in parallel, which saves a lot of space. Photo: Nour Alam \/ TBS\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The primary design concept was to create an open space and to accommodate the evolving requirements of a contemporary library over time.<\/p>\n

But how can a library transform from a serious personality into a new, open and inviting public space, and that too without distorting the existing building structure? <\/p>\n

Previously a 2,000-square-foot library was adjacent to the teacher’s room. Inside the library, narrow walls and windows did not allow occupants to have a view of the surroundings. The library became a storeroom full of books.<\/p>\n

The architects used the double-height space and installed a bright red floating mezzanine. Photo: Nour Alam \/ TBS
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The architects used the double-height space and installed a bright red floating mezzanine. Photo: Nour Alam \/ TBS\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The architects decided to create an “open library”; They demolished the walls separating the library and the adjacent teacher’s room. To bring light into the library, the architects used translucent glass windows. The architects used narrow horizontal grill bars on the windows creating the effect of blinds on the windows.<\/p>\n

The team used white, beige and ivory as the primary colors with red and black in the chairs and seating areas.<\/p>\n

Key Features<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

An interior staircase, previously separated by empty walls, has been converted into a decorative glass box. This ensures that the interior of the small segmented spaces has been transformed into a continuous fluid space. <\/p>\n

Large continuous open spaces were introduced with a length of 206 feet from the floor, extending from west to east. <\/p>\n

In the middle of the entire podium, the architects used a double-height space and installed a bright red floating mezzanine. <\/p>\n

An interior staircase, previously separated by empty walls, has been converted into a decorative glass box. Photo: Nour Alam \/ TBS
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An interior staircase, previously separated by empty walls, has been converted into a decorative glass box. Photo: Nour Alam \/ TBS\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The mezzanine contains the information and problem counter on the lower level and a silent reading area on the upper level for teachers. The problem counter was open, but due to the epidemic, the area was covered with transparent PVC panels. <\/p>\n

The red steps leading to the upper level have been turned into an informal reading area. Students generally like to sit here in a relaxed mood while browsing through a magazine or even fidgeting from their phones. <\/p>\n

Perforated metal sheets were used as handrails on the red staircases. <\/p>\n

A “manicured egg”-shaped space, in front of the red steps, holds magazine shelves and reading tables. Its trimmed structure increases fluidity by changing the geometry of the space. <\/p>\n

There is a large window to the west with white grills through which the greenery can be seen. <\/p>\n

The librarian’s desk and the desks of other employees are housed within patterned glass boxes. <\/p>\n

The north entrance, made of sheet metal etched with the history of the College of Business Studies, leads to a bright fluid space inside. The modular design of the furniture ensures maximum openness.<\/p>\n

The mezzanine contains the information and problem counter on the lower level and a silent reading area on the upper level for teachers. Photo: Nour Alam \/ TBS<\/span><\/p>\n

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The mezzanine contains the information and problem counter on the lower level and a silent reading area on the upper level for teachers. Photo: Nour Alam \/ TBS<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The library’s ceiling was designed using light materials such as metal mesh and white panels, to reinforce the exposed beam column structures. <\/p>\n

The ceiling over the trimmed egg and tiered reading area contains diagonal lines and lights in random directions to break up the areas into a multi-directional openness.<\/p>\n

It has been five years since the library began operating. During these years, some problems developed. <\/p>\n

The clapboard ceiling above the bookshelf area has already cracked and in some places, the ceiling got wet due to the water leaking. Photo: Nour Alam \/ TBS
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The clapboard ceiling above the bookshelf area has already cracked and in some places, the ceiling got wet due to the water leaking. Photo: Nour Alam \/ TBS\n<\/p>\n