CENTRAL LIBRARY OF IIT BOMBAY, MUMBAI |
The Central Library of IIT Bombay is one of the India’s largest libraries of Science, Engineering and Technology. Located in the heart of the campus it is surrounded with lush greenery. The requirements consisted of horizontal & vertical extension, entire renovation, repairs and interiors with furniture. The 90,000 sft building accommodates over 500,000 excellent collections of books, journals and non-book material in science, engineering, technology, humanities, social sciences and management. The Library is core of Knowledge in this Academic Campus. So architecture is designed for inspiring environment and creates a vibrant place of learning. Natural light is used to make pleasant ambiance in the entire building.
The Extension to building is planned to seamlessly integrate with existing building both externally and internally. The entire building is reorganized as open plan and for views across the various spaces and surrounding greens including the central courtyard. Easy circulation is organized aligning the movement of the existing with vertical extension and horizontally it's a complete around the building like a circumambulation path. The vertical expansion at the top most floors is constructed in lightweight metal frame structure. It has external elevations with glazed walls for maximum natural lighting and external views of the landscape. All library administrative office functions are brought together. A Digital knowledge lab, Language lab, 24x7 reading hall, new Entrance hall are added to the existing building.
The Main Entrance is designed and added as an entry to the institutional public building. The circulation lobby is redesigned as a welcoming entrance hall. The open central Courtyard is provided with Café and landscaping for informal sitting and discussion on steps. The building except entrance lobby is air-conditioned with temperature conditions to preserve the books as well as create comfort conditions for the readers and visitors. The entire electrical, firefighting and network systems are also redesigned as complete new building. The architecture & interiors is a continuous dialogue between inside & outside, between architecture & nature, between users & natural light, between spaces inside and universe outside. The natural light, white color and pastel shades, textures & furniture is to create calm, peaceful & refreshing atmosphere.
The Extension to building is planned to seamlessly integrate with existing building both externally and internally. The entire building is reorganized as open plan and for views across the various spaces and surrounding greens including the central courtyard. Easy circulation is organized aligning the movement of the existing with vertical extension and horizontally it's a complete around the building like a circumambulation path. The vertical expansion at the top most floors is constructed in lightweight metal frame structure. It has external elevations with glazed walls for maximum natural lighting and external views of the landscape. All library administrative office functions are brought together. A Digital knowledge lab, Language lab, 24x7 reading hall, new Entrance hall are added to the existing building.
The Main Entrance is designed and added as an entry to the institutional public building. The circulation lobby is redesigned as a welcoming entrance hall. The open central Courtyard is provided with Café and landscaping for informal sitting and discussion on steps. The building except entrance lobby is air-conditioned with temperature conditions to preserve the books as well as create comfort conditions for the readers and visitors. The entire electrical, firefighting and network systems are also redesigned as complete new building. The architecture & interiors is a continuous dialogue between inside & outside, between architecture & nature, between users & natural light, between spaces inside and universe outside. The natural light, white color and pastel shades, textures & furniture is to create calm, peaceful & refreshing atmosphere.
Sustainability
Environmental
Natural Light is used in Library as main design tool which reduces energy bill of artificial lighting. The green surroundings are preserved to keep microclimate cool and reduced heat loads. Deep shaded windows, large roof overhangs for sun heat and glare protection is adopted to reduce heat loads. Its designed with maximum natural lighting and natural ventilation for lower energy consumption throughout the life cycle of the buildings.
Economic
By using Natural Light in all offices, reading, display, seating spaces of entire Library - savings of lighting bill, reduction in capital cost of lighting fixtures, electrical infrastructure cost and maintenance cost is achieved.
By preserving the green surroundings to keep microclimate cool and reduced heat loads- savings of HVAC bill, reduction in capital cost of HVAC fixtures & infrastructure cost, reduction of maintenance cost is achieved.
By deep set shaded windows, large roof overhangs for sun heat, rainfall and glare protection to reduce heat loads-Savings of Lighting, HVAC bill, reduction in capital cost of HVAC fixtures & infrastructure cost, reduction of maintenance cost of windows is achieved.
Circulation & Utility areas are kept naturally ventilated (i.e Non HVAC) and naturally lighted (like entrance canopy, 4 staircases, 5 toilets, mechanical plants)- Savings of Lighting & HVAC bill, reduction in capital cost of lighting & HVAC fixtures & machinery cost, reduction of maintenance cost of lighting & HVAC fixtures. This saving by maximum natural ventilation & lighting for lower energy consumption throughout the life cycle of the buildings.
Water consumption reduction by use of high efficient flow and flush plumbing fixtures. High energy efficient centralized chilled water based HVAC system with energy efficient chiller and water pumping system.
Social
It is an example and symbol of sustainability in entire campus and community.
Novelty/ Innovation
This project brings several ideas together right from designing with reference to site and context, learning in midst of green and openness, using light for interesting environment to saving of energy, climate and place informing design, connecting users with architecture of inside and outside and reimaging the library and its architecture in the digital age.
Building materials
MS Structure for light weight structure over existing structure for vertical extension so to avoid new footprint on ground for horizontal extension as well as saving existing trees. Aluminum Doors, Windows, Partitions for Light weight, non corrosive, aesthetics, low maintenance, non timber, fire resistant. Glazed Doors, Windows, Partitions for natural light, transparency, non corrosive, aesthetics, low maintenance. Recycled MS Window grills. Low VOC paints and lead free paints for internal areas and heat reflective color of paints on roof. Entire furniture is custom designed in modular and constructed in factory to reduce noise reduction, efficiency during construction at site, construction convenience and quick installation onsite, using green materials of plywood and MS framework. Natural stone granite flooring for hard for durability and low maintenance in common circulation areas, cold for climate control and heat load reduction. Crushed sand used in place of natural sand.
Efficiency of design
Multiple design strategies are applied like maximum use of existing site conditions, passive architectural design, energy efficient envelope design, high energy efficient engineering services and systems like electrical, lighting, mechanical, plumbing, etc. Though land was available on west side adjacent to building for expansion- we carried out vertical extension to reduce foot print, leave land untouched and avoided cutting trees in the land available adjacent to building. Only entrance canopy and handicap ramp were added as horizontal extensions to building. Care was taken in design to provide cutouts in plan for saving large exiting trees in the area of entrance canopy. In spite of vertical extension- we restricted height to reduce fire protection & detection infrastructure costs.
we have used glass for letting in the natural light in all spaces to create pleasant and inspiring ambience. Glass has allowed us to open views to outside greenery and create inside outside dialogue with surroundings. As the seasons change the spaces get activated accordingly. Metal is used for light weight metal structure, roof and wall cladding work both internally and externally. Both materials are easy for construction and future maintenance.
Multi-Comfort (Acoustic, Thermal, Solar, Indoor Air Quality, Safety)
Acoustic, the glazed windows are sealed from all sides for acoustic insulation. Similarly natural elements like trees are utilized for external sound absorption.
Thermal, the windows are sealed from all sides for thermal insulation. Double thermal roof insulation is provided by rubber under deck insulation and air space void in false ceiling. Passive design features like deep set concrete windows and overhang metal roof projections provide thermal comfort by reduced heat gain.
Solar, the windows are sealed from all sides for solar insulation. Double thermal roof insulation is provided by rubber under deck insulation and air space void in false ceiling. Passive design features like deep set concrete windows and overhang metal roof projections provide thermal comfort by reduced heat gain.
Indoor Air Quality, the windows are sealed from all sides for dust insulation. Centralized chilled water based HVAC systems are planned to preserve the precious collection of books and digital devices increasing their life and reducing maintenance. The existing trees inside building courtyard and periphery with thick foliage are preserved painstakingly to help cool microclimate, natural air purification and dust reduction.
Safety: Efficient fire protection, detection, alarm and CCTV security and alarm system provided. RFP scan system for books scanning and theft protection installed. Fixed windows are provided for air sealing and books safety while for openable windows MS grills are provided for theft protection. All safety provisions are made in the project. Users safety appropriate railing at various places like double height overlooking area, staircases, windows, etc. are provided. Workers safety- Planning was done for proper access and exits for contractors & workers throughout the entire process of construction. Safety included Physical, Environmental, Material durability, Fire, Intrusion, Structural, Paint/air /dust, glare, lighting /visual & aesthetic, Air temperature, Noise/ Acoustic, etc.
Environmental
Natural Light is used in Library as main design tool which reduces energy bill of artificial lighting. The green surroundings are preserved to keep microclimate cool and reduced heat loads. Deep shaded windows, large roof overhangs for sun heat and glare protection is adopted to reduce heat loads. Its designed with maximum natural lighting and natural ventilation for lower energy consumption throughout the life cycle of the buildings.
Economic
By using Natural Light in all offices, reading, display, seating spaces of entire Library - savings of lighting bill, reduction in capital cost of lighting fixtures, electrical infrastructure cost and maintenance cost is achieved.
By preserving the green surroundings to keep microclimate cool and reduced heat loads- savings of HVAC bill, reduction in capital cost of HVAC fixtures & infrastructure cost, reduction of maintenance cost is achieved.
By deep set shaded windows, large roof overhangs for sun heat, rainfall and glare protection to reduce heat loads-Savings of Lighting, HVAC bill, reduction in capital cost of HVAC fixtures & infrastructure cost, reduction of maintenance cost of windows is achieved.
Circulation & Utility areas are kept naturally ventilated (i.e Non HVAC) and naturally lighted (like entrance canopy, 4 staircases, 5 toilets, mechanical plants)- Savings of Lighting & HVAC bill, reduction in capital cost of lighting & HVAC fixtures & machinery cost, reduction of maintenance cost of lighting & HVAC fixtures. This saving by maximum natural ventilation & lighting for lower energy consumption throughout the life cycle of the buildings.
Water consumption reduction by use of high efficient flow and flush plumbing fixtures. High energy efficient centralized chilled water based HVAC system with energy efficient chiller and water pumping system.
Social
It is an example and symbol of sustainability in entire campus and community.
Novelty/ Innovation
This project brings several ideas together right from designing with reference to site and context, learning in midst of green and openness, using light for interesting environment to saving of energy, climate and place informing design, connecting users with architecture of inside and outside and reimaging the library and its architecture in the digital age.
Building materials
MS Structure for light weight structure over existing structure for vertical extension so to avoid new footprint on ground for horizontal extension as well as saving existing trees. Aluminum Doors, Windows, Partitions for Light weight, non corrosive, aesthetics, low maintenance, non timber, fire resistant. Glazed Doors, Windows, Partitions for natural light, transparency, non corrosive, aesthetics, low maintenance. Recycled MS Window grills. Low VOC paints and lead free paints for internal areas and heat reflective color of paints on roof. Entire furniture is custom designed in modular and constructed in factory to reduce noise reduction, efficiency during construction at site, construction convenience and quick installation onsite, using green materials of plywood and MS framework. Natural stone granite flooring for hard for durability and low maintenance in common circulation areas, cold for climate control and heat load reduction. Crushed sand used in place of natural sand.
Efficiency of design
Multiple design strategies are applied like maximum use of existing site conditions, passive architectural design, energy efficient envelope design, high energy efficient engineering services and systems like electrical, lighting, mechanical, plumbing, etc. Though land was available on west side adjacent to building for expansion- we carried out vertical extension to reduce foot print, leave land untouched and avoided cutting trees in the land available adjacent to building. Only entrance canopy and handicap ramp were added as horizontal extensions to building. Care was taken in design to provide cutouts in plan for saving large exiting trees in the area of entrance canopy. In spite of vertical extension- we restricted height to reduce fire protection & detection infrastructure costs.
we have used glass for letting in the natural light in all spaces to create pleasant and inspiring ambience. Glass has allowed us to open views to outside greenery and create inside outside dialogue with surroundings. As the seasons change the spaces get activated accordingly. Metal is used for light weight metal structure, roof and wall cladding work both internally and externally. Both materials are easy for construction and future maintenance.
Multi-Comfort (Acoustic, Thermal, Solar, Indoor Air Quality, Safety)
Acoustic, the glazed windows are sealed from all sides for acoustic insulation. Similarly natural elements like trees are utilized for external sound absorption.
Thermal, the windows are sealed from all sides for thermal insulation. Double thermal roof insulation is provided by rubber under deck insulation and air space void in false ceiling. Passive design features like deep set concrete windows and overhang metal roof projections provide thermal comfort by reduced heat gain.
Solar, the windows are sealed from all sides for solar insulation. Double thermal roof insulation is provided by rubber under deck insulation and air space void in false ceiling. Passive design features like deep set concrete windows and overhang metal roof projections provide thermal comfort by reduced heat gain.
Indoor Air Quality, the windows are sealed from all sides for dust insulation. Centralized chilled water based HVAC systems are planned to preserve the precious collection of books and digital devices increasing their life and reducing maintenance. The existing trees inside building courtyard and periphery with thick foliage are preserved painstakingly to help cool microclimate, natural air purification and dust reduction.
Safety: Efficient fire protection, detection, alarm and CCTV security and alarm system provided. RFP scan system for books scanning and theft protection installed. Fixed windows are provided for air sealing and books safety while for openable windows MS grills are provided for theft protection. All safety provisions are made in the project. Users safety appropriate railing at various places like double height overlooking area, staircases, windows, etc. are provided. Workers safety- Planning was done for proper access and exits for contractors & workers throughout the entire process of construction. Safety included Physical, Environmental, Material durability, Fire, Intrusion, Structural, Paint/air /dust, glare, lighting /visual & aesthetic, Air temperature, Noise/ Acoustic, etc.