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Posted June 12, 2013

Most Unusual University Libraries in the World

Libraries are traditionally considered to be dull and boring places that students have to visit through necessity rather than desire - an  essential learning resource . However, these university libraries are quite simply mind blowing, featuring some of the most visually stunning design concepts imaginable. Students lucky enough to attend the following universities actually enjoy spending time in and around these fascinating buildings, which can only be a good thing for their study prospects!
 

Vienna University of Business and Economics

Teaming traditional with modern, this design concept was dreamed up by Zaha Hadid Architects, and it is one of the most inspirational libraries around.
 

University of Aberdeen

The University of Aberdeen ’s library is another superb example of cutting edge modern design, and it really is one of the architectural highlights of the city. Boasting a huge glass faced box design from the outside, the inner layout was devised with a very curvy central ‘hole’ going up through each story of the library, creating an innovative and interesting internal space.

University of Indonesia

This university library is like a 20th century fortress, complete with towers, circular grass banks around the edge, and a large body of water protecting the front edge of the building. The inside layout is comprised of a huge complex of chambers and rooms, and it is not the sort of place that you would want to get lost in.

University of Warsaw

This magnificent building was completed in 1999, and is home to one of the largest living roofs in the whole of Europe. Students are able to walk up the flower laden walkway and onto the top of the 17,000m2 rooftop space which comes complete with a cascading fountain. This has to be the most beautiful and eco-friendly library in the world and it even comes complete with panoramic views of the city.

Macquarie University (Australia)

Green roofs are not the only way to be eco friendly. This huge stripy building in Macquarie University, Sydney is not only a striking design concept, but also an eco warrior of libraries. It has many key features which were built into the design to make it less energy intensive, including a rainwater catchment system which is used for the entire toilet system.

Joe and Rika Mansueto Library, University of Chicago

The huge glass panelled bubble at the University of Chicago is one of the most talked about libraries in the world, and has been touted as a ‘library for the future’. The glass domed roof allows for maximum light into the huge reading rooms, and underneath the floor of the main areas is a vast preservation department, which seeks to store and preserve huge quantities of books that are no longer needed in the main reading section due to the trend towards digitization.
 

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