An iconic new building at the University of Aberdeen opened its doors to the public on Monday 12th September.

This library is designed to provide a 21st century learning and research environment for students and University staff, as well as visitors and the public.

This stunning new building was conceived by Danish architects Schmidt hammer lassen as a cube evoking the ice and light of the north. It has a sharp, modern design, with an asymmetrical atrium which rises diagonally from the ground floor through seven floors above, giving spectacular views of the Granite City and the North Sea.

Founding Partner of architects schmidt hammer lassen, Morten Schmidt, says, “The University of Aberdeen’s new library will be a meeting place and a cultural centre for the students of the University and the Aberdeen community. The façade of the building will shimmer during the day and glow softly at night, creating a luminous landmark - a beacon - for the whole city of Aberdeen.”

This was a £57 million project, which is the largest capital fundraising project the University of Aberdeen has ever undertaken. The money was raised with the help of generous support from alumni and private donors around the world, as well as donations from companies in many sectors of business, and from charitable trusts both local and national.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, Professor Ian Diamond, says, “The opening of the new library marks a new era at the University, providing an unrivalled learning environment for our students and staff, and one we are delighted to share with the communities of our region. This is an outstanding facility of which we can all be very proud. It will serve the needs and ambitions of our University, City and region for many decades to come.”

Chris Banks, University Librarian and Director of Library, Special Collections and Museums said: “Our new library has created a stunning environment which accommodates new styles of learning, enables research and collaborations, and allows us to engage with all of our communities through exhibitions, public events, seminars, school groups, professional visits and much more. I am enormously proud of all those colleagues across the whole University who have worked tirelessly to bring the project to fruition.”

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Content added on 19th September 2011.

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