The royal seal of approval has been given to
schmidt hammer lassen architects` new University of Aberdeen library now officially called the “Sir Duncan Rice Library”. Although the building has been completed for around a year, the Queen has officially opened it at a time when the very nature of the physical library is being called into question with the increasing proliferation of the eBook and the scanning of historical books online.
Externally a new square of Scottish stone forms a link with the wider city and the university campus, whilst the central feature of the building is an atrium that spirals up over 8 floors. Its curvilinear, flowing form contrasts sharply with the crisp external façade of the building.
The University of Aberdeen in Scotland, was founded in 1495 and is the fifth oldest English language university in the world. The library serves 14,000 students in 15,500square metres, and has 1,200 reading spaces.
Exhibitions and other events are hosted on the ground floor with a café. The building also hosts various historical collections, archives and a rare books reading room.
