TEN Arquitectos in Brooklyn

The new ‘Visual and Performing Arts Library’ in Brooklyn now has a face and the winner of the competition has a name. Mexican architect Enrique Norten, leader and founder of the practice TEN Arquitectos in Mexico City with this commission makes his first conquest in the Big Apple. His project was chosen in preference to the schemes of three other contenders, Rafael Viñoly of New York, who designed what was described by the New York Times as “a trellis work tsunami”; Jean Nouvel whose project was labelled a “mirror jewel case” and the practice Huff & Gooden who opted for – again in the words of the Times – a cubist wedge.

What is certain is that the library will have to form the foundation for and be the first step towards a new cultural district: “It’s better to go for something transparent, which invites people to enter” emphasised Harvey Lichtenstein, president of the foundation and member of the jury. The winning project is on 6-7 floors for almost 14 000 square metres of floor space whilst seen from above its shape is that of a slightly sloping “V” which at its highest point resembles the prow of a ship. In the concave part is a courtyard with a cascade of steps in the shape of an amphitheatre which breaks up the view of the building opposite, the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Inside are reading rooms, multimedia labs, galleries, archives, auditorium, theatre and a media lounge enclosed in a double wall of glass, with horizontal rooflights between panelled windows to control the light. Work will not begin before 2005 and the opening is expected to take place by 2007.

http://www.tenarquitectos.com.mx

The winning project is on 6-7 floors for almost 14,000 square metres of floor space

From top: the proposals by TEN Arquitectos of Mexico City (winner); Rafael Viñoly Architects of New York; Ateliers Jean Nouvel of Paris; Huff & Gooden of Charleston (Usa)

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