What a visual treat!
Last time I was visiting Prague, my dad took me for a "tour" of the new architectural complex of FA CVUT (Colleague of Civil Engineering and Architecture). While I was impressed with the new studying environment of Department of Architecture within the Civil Engineering School (right below here) I was blown away by the National Technical Library just cross the street.
CVUT - department of Architecture - studios and labs
designed by studio Vyšehrad
NTK - designed by studio PROJEKTIL
The outside of the library is wrapped in glass rain screen channel system that creates this amazing soft glow and dimensional feel of the facade.
NTK - rain screen glass channel system
The bare structure of the building is very minimal and basic but is brought to life by the whole way finding concept and super graphics. Floors are covered in colorful patterns that represent the engineering loads, the way-finding system is sreen-painted straight on to the concrete structures and the concrete railing of the galleries in the atrium are covered with child-like doodles with a sense of humor - typical for Czechs...
NTK - atrium study with the illustrations on the railings...do you get that sense of humor?!...:)
NTK - way-finding concept
NTK - lounge study
NTK - library area
NTK - exterior - you get to be educated even here - it tells you how tall/wide the building is...otherwise you might not ever get a real sense and understanding how tall/high 21m actually is...
Very playful, friendly and cheerful yet professional study environment. I wish it was there when I was studying!!!