I have been working with the Bibliotheca since January and I have
taken little opportunity to photograph the facility until now. A few
weeks ago I took extensive pictures of both the exterior and interior of
the library complex. I did not take pictures of the Museum space,
which in some ways is a separate facility, though extremely nice. I
also did not take a picture of the United Nations collection or the
Manuscript Library. I hope to add those pictures in a separate post.
The library is a huge facility and has so many moving parts, including
the Digital Lab and separate collections. While I love the architecture
of the library, I have had a hard time understanding some of the
decisions made by the architects. Some of the space, in my opinion, is
not utilized well. Even the idea of a building with four (4) floors
below ground is strange. The Arts and Multimedia library, for example,
is located in Basement 3 (B3), three floors below entrance level. There
are no windows and, as you might imagine, Internet access is painfully
slow in some areas.
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| The Mediterranean with the Bibliotheca in the background |
Snøhetta, a Norwegian Architectural firm, was awarded the design of
the library, which was officially inaugurated in 2002 at a cost of well
over $220 million. The library is not that old and quite spectacular in
conception and realization.
The idea of the library rising at an angle (16 degrees) was purposely
designed to replicate the rising of the sun, a symbolic gesture
signaling the library as a center of learning, looking back to the
legacy of the Ancient Library of Alexandria. The library (the sun)
rises over the city and ordains learning and intellectual pursuit as
that which lights all of humanity. The Planetarium, then, is the moon
which rotates around the sun.
The library and accompanying structures used to be magnificently lit
at night so that the whole orchestrated complex looked like some kind of
vast solar system. Because of budgetary constraints, the buildings are
no longer lit with the glowing blue light, or any light for that
matter, leaving a void on the horizon when looking across the city to
the area of the Bibliotheca.
What is not known from the photos, is that the public square, or
plaza, located around the front and side of the library gets extremely
crowded on any given day. In fact, it is a mob scene everyday I leave
work. Many of the students from the University of Alexandria use the
Bibliotheca as their university library. This signals a problem of
sorts for Egypt, that there is no university or public library system in
the country. I wish I could communicate the number of times I wanted to
stop at a public library while visiting Cairo to use a computer, read a
magazine and relax in front of books and CDs. I am spoiled by the
place of the public library in the US.
Below is a series of forty-four (44) pictures of the library, inside
and out, with appropriate explanation. Many of my pictures leave
something to be desired. Hopefully I can follow-up with another post
showing different views and collections of the library. In the
meantime, Enjoy!
*By the way, the whole library facility closes daily at 4:30PM. A
movement to extend the library hours until 7:00PM was not approved.
The Outside
There is a number of different script and scribble on the side of the
stone facade that, while individually meaningless, symbolizes the
language from all over the world. You can see some of the script in the
semblance of hieroglyphs and Chinese characters and different
drawings/markings. The gray granite from Aswan (Upper Egypt) displays
the letters (not words) from the alphabets of some 120 languages.
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| The above ground portion of the Bibliotheca |
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| A detail of the Bibliotheca wall |
The pictures also reveal a pedestrian bridge that cuts across
(pierces, is more like it) the main facade of the building, allowing
pedestrians to “participate” in the structure from above, and ruminate
on the origins of a system they participate in creating and utilizing.
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| Library Rising from the Sea |
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| The Rising Library from Afar |
The windows seen on the “slant” of the library were created to
symbolize eyes, the window to the rest of the world, waking with the
rising of the sun, allowing light on the spirit of mankind in their
pursuit of knowledge and truth. The windows from the inside are covered
in blue and green glass to symbolize the natural light from the sky.
While the windows do not provide any significant amount of natural
light, it does provide a relaxing ambiance through the use of color to
alternately signify the sky and the sea, a meeting of the heavens and
the earth colliding as the sun rises and retreats, opening and closing
to those who pursue its riches inside.
The appearance from the Mediterranean is a glowing disk moving in subtle relation to the sky.
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| Approaching the Rising Library |
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| Approaching the Library |
It is noticeable in some of the pictures that there is an area for
water to surround the library building. This is for natural rain water,
but also for regularly running fountains. The library surrounded with
water further emphasized the effect of the sun rising from the sea (as
in looking across the Mediterranean to a sunrise). It is also stated
that the water creates a “floating” of the building out of reach of the
surroundings. As with the lighting of the complex at night, diminishing
funds have eliminated the continuous flow of water that would
ordinarily surround the complex.
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| Another View Approaching the Rising Library |
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| Main Entrance to the Library |
Ismail Serageldin in his book on the library, notes that even the
discreet entrance of the Bibliotheca recalls the traditions of Mamluk
Cairo, the entering of large and beautiful buildings through discreet
and/or broken entrances that does not reveal the full size or splendor
of the architecture.
*Ismail Serageldin was recently nominated into the American Academy
of Arts and Sciences. A great achievement for Dr. Serageldin, and the
Bibliotheca.
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| Main Entrance to the Library |
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| Staff Entrance to the Bibliotheca |
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| Approaching the Main Entrance from South |
The Conference Center, located just across from the Main Entrance to
the Library, is a place where many conferences take place in addition to
lectures and some concerts. There is also an auditorium inside the
main library, but the conference center allows for more formal affairs
to take place. Just last week there was a week-long BioVision
conference on sustainability, health care and the environment. I also
attended a lecture on art in the Coptic Monasteries.
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| The Conference Center Across from the Main Entrance |
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| Conference Center, Library, Plaza from Above |
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| Planetarium and Conference Center |
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| View of the Plaza in front of the Staff Entrance |
The Planetarium acts as a sphere that orbits in tandem with the
rising sun. The orb has an entrance accessible via a stairway that
leads underground, giving the entrance a sci-fi, subterranean feel of
entering another world, similar, I would say, to the feeling of entering
the catacombs. The other-worldly feel is confirmed by the interior
space and the displays/shows that confirm that feeling of transport to
another world. The mobility and interaction of the complex is confirmed
by placement of the planetarium within proximity to the conference
center and the rising library. In other words, the complex is
interactive, calling for visitors to “negotiate” the space.
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| View of the Planetarium and the Mediterranean Sea |
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| A View of the Plaza and Planetarium from Above |
The library complex is located right off of the Corniche, the main
thoroughfare that follows the Mediterranean Sea the entire length of the
city. The plaza of the library is also covered with sculptures donated
to the library through the ongoing resident artist program that for
years has been a staple of the Bibliotheca. To the side of the plaza,
overlooking the Planetarium and the rising library, is a series of food
shops, a couple of coffee shops and a bookstore, Diwan Books. All have a
second floor seating area where visitors can order a coffee and look
out at the plaza, the library and the Mediterranean. I often frequent
the cafes to take in the spectacular view and play tourist for an hour
or two, as I sip on my espresso and marvel at the complexity and
integrity of the facility.
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| A View of the Plaza in Front of the Bibliotheca |
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| A View of the Mediterranean from the Library Plaza |
The Inside
The Arts Library is located on B3, or the third Basement. There is
also another part of the 3rd Basement that extends beyond the Arts
library. The third floor also houses the religion collection and a
computer lab used for electronic resource instruction. I used the
electronic resource classroom once to share resources in the Arts. It
took me a while to really find my way around the whole Bibliotheca.
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| Labeling the Floors |
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| Looking up to the Rising Floors |
It might not be entirely apparent by looking at my pictures, but the
interior levels create a tiered effect that seems to replicate the
exterior of the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Many of the architectural
features play on the traditions of Egyptian sculpture and architecture,
including the use of different types of stone from the region in
producing a desired affect inside the library.
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| Intricate Details on the Rising Floors |
Some of the thin concrete columns that flower outward near the top
recall the hypostyle temples of Luxor, but also recall the “flowering”
of knowledge while paying tribute to the papyrus theme evident in
ancient Egyptian architecture. The thin columns also blossom into what
appears like Islamic arches (not visible in the pictures), combining
Pharaonic columns and Islamic arches, a combination of architectural
traits evident throughout the library. In any case, the forms are
simple, merging the past, the present and the future in a hybrid design.
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| Staircase from the Basement to Upper Floors |
The staircases that lead to the first, or main, floor are royal in
their appearance. It showcases the Queen Hatshepsut feel of royalty that
presides over all knowledge.
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| Two Floating Seminar Rooms Linked by Bridges |
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| Open Space on Lower Floor |
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| Study Space Against the Intricate Shape of the Library |
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| Periodical Reading Room |
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| One of Many Exhibitions Throughout the Library |
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| Print Machines on B1 |
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| Old Printing Press |
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| Looking at the Wall from the Maps Library |
The black granite seen on the walls surrounding the staircases is a
special granite imported from Zimbabwe. It is said to be of
particularly strong character. Also notable in a few of the pictures is
an oxidized brass paneling that naturally reduces noise. In some
locations there is a green wall covering. The covering is a plastic
made in Austria. It gives a sheen, finished granite/marble appearance
in line with the finished look of the rest of the interior. The green
plastic is strategically placed to offer additional coloring, mimicking
the green light in the “eyelash” design of the ceiling windows. The
oxidized brass paneling can be seen behind the reference desk in the
Arts library, while the green stone walls are quite obvious in a number
of pictures. The green walls also recall the water of the Mediterranean,
which most days appears to be the color of absinthe.
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| Looking up from Basement Floor Number 4 |
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| From the Maps and Periodical Library |
While there seems to be a thought that there is not much criticism of
the library architecture, I am somewhat critical of the space. The
wood flooring throughout the library is not conducive to the type of
quiet comfort one might expect from a library. I am also not a fan of
four (4) basement floors, eliminating the presence of windows, and thus,
a connection with nature and the natural world. While Dr. Serageldin
commented that one of the few criticisms of the building is the failed
opportunity for applying solar panels to the roof, the space in the
middle of the library is not utilized as well as it could be.
The Arts Library
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| Reading Reference Room in the Arts Library |
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| Reading Reference Room in the Arts Library |
I love the picture of the Reference Desk in the Arts Library. The
desk is always ridiculously busy, especially with students from the
University. I love the picture of
Oum Kalthum,
the feisty and powerful Egyptian singer with a voice to match. The
poster is symbolic of the Arts library, a feisty and well performed
machine that keeps rolling out a distinguished model of service and
programming. Typically there is a poster to the side of the reference
desk outlining the monthly film program (slightly visible in the
picture). There is a film showing every Thursday at 1:00, centered
around a different monthly theme. There are a number of exhibit cases
that normally showcase a an exhibit within the Arts library. The cases
have been clustered to the right of the reference desk for months,
eagerly awaiting movement so that staff can fill the cases with
meaningful exhibits to accompany the grandeur of the library.
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| Reference Desk in the Arts Library |
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| Arts Periodicals |
On a number of occasions I have worked in the Arts reading room. I
get better Internet connection in the reading room and have learned to
appreciate being surrounded by the hum of students entering and
departing the space. The wooden seats, however, are ridiculously
uncomfortable. God forbid you should take a call on your cell phone.
Even as an “official” employee of the library, I was almost thrown out
of the library for taking a call – from the director of the Arts
Library, no less!
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| Reading Room in the Arts Library |
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| The Arts Library |
The number of books in the Arts library is impressive. I can’t
remember the last time I saw this many art related items in one place. I
did not bring many books with me for teaching. Thankfully, I was able
to find most of what I needed in the stacks.
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| Stacks inside the Arts Library |
I happen to love the massive concrete columns in the library, though I
can’t really articulate why. The massive columns only appear in some
areas, the Arts library is one of them. I guess it gives the space a
sense of grandeur while combining the modern with the traditional in one
form. I also love the number of sculptures and displays scattered
throughout the library. I am constantly “interacting” with the library.
It keeps the mind active and the body moving in and around the library:
a place that should never be passive – in theory, anyway.
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| The Arts Library |
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| Study Space and Courtyard from the Arts Library |
This is one of the programming rooms used for talks and readings.
There are about four (4) proper lecture rooms. The perimeter of the Arts
library has private viewing rooms for students to watch films or meet
for group study.
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| Theater Room inside the Library |
The building and complex are certainly worthy of the 2004 Aga Khan
architectural award, as the structure is brilliantly unique. Some
details of all brilliant architecture, however, are usually overlooked
in favor of the splendor of the overall design. The network of
elevators and stairs, for example, are not very efficient when trying to
get from one location to another. The presence of one bathroom on the
bottom floor of the library for an entire building of patrons is
comical, and in walking the network of stairways, there is an external
opening on conjoining floors that could cause someone to get their whole
leg trapped or break a foot while climbing the stairways. Because of
the disk structure to the building, everything is created in a
hierarchical scheme that expands or eliminates space based on the floor
in which the collection presides. This means that if the structure was
not built on a 16 degree angle, the space on each floor would be equal,
and allow for a more appropriate apportioning of space for expanding
collections. I imagine what the space might look like if each floor was
equal in size from bottom to top. After I think about it, though, I
disagree with my other self and feel that the Bibliotheca as it stands
is remarkably unique. All practicalities aside, I could argue the
faults of any structure. For its sheer brilliance and monumentality,
the Bibliotheca really is a beautiful sight to behold. I am quite
fortunate to have entered the library nearly everyday for almost 6
months. And I agree with other comments that the Bibliotheca is like a
living museum in which scholars are able to actively interact through
the wealth of resources and exhibits that, like the architecture, create
a continual dialogue. As long as the complex keeps us talking and
searching, how can we argue with the end result?
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| Sculpture in the main entrance of the Bibliotheca |
Interestingly, the library complex is a merging of architectural
forms from the past, a merging of classical Egyptian and Greek ideas
about learning, astronomy, space, and the intricate workings that create
an integrated union between men and women of learning, the universe
that surrounds them and that keeps them curious and engaged. This is a
resolution of my criticism above (
continual engagement)
Here are some further details for all those interested. There is so
much to write about the space, and the experience of the library, but I
am forced to confine my observations. Here is a link to Snøhetta, the
Norwegian architectural firm’s
Account of the Building.
It is also useful to read the works of the director, Ismail Serageldin (still director despite recent calls that he be fired).
“A Landmark Building: Reflections on the Architecture of the Bibliotheca
Alexandrina.” Bibliotheca Alexandrina Publication, 2006.
Here also is an overview from the
Aga Khan Development Network 
