Soundscaping the Future Library

Abstract

This research investigates from an atmospheric viewpoint how architectural elements contribute to the creation of distinct soundscapes for quiet work, group work, and leisure zones in a library setting. The goal of this research is to lay the groundwork for decision making in the redesign of the KB, the National Library of the Netherlands. This research is focused on atmospheric qualities of the library typology with a focus on the auditory. Several studies already exist about soundscapes, but these are often set in either urban surroundings or in other building typologies. This research fills that gap in knowledge by focussing on library soundscapes. The study is guided by the central question: “How can the auditory experience of library users be enhanced in redesigning the soundscape for a 21st century library?”. To address this question, the research is structured around three subquestions, the first of which goes as follows: What should a 21st century library’s auditory atmosphere be like according to library users? The second one is: What spatial strategies can enhance a library’s soundscape? Lastly, the third question is: How are these strategies applied in existing libraries to enhance specific soundscapes? The methodology of the first two subquestions is a literature review, while the third is examined through case study analysis. By combining insights from these investigations, this study aims to provide a framework for designing libraries that align with user needs through atmosphere-driven architectural strategies in soundscape design.