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JOSE VASCONCELOS” MEXICO LIBRARY Location: Avda. Insurgentes con 1 Norte, Ciudad de México Architect: Enrique Browne Collaborator architect: Davor Pavlovic, Patricio Browne, Sebastián Morandé, Enrique C. Browne, Mathias Jacob, Verónica Celedón Structural adviser: alfonso larraín, ingeniero Photographs: Guy Wenborne y Enrique Browne Site area: 30.700 m2. Constructed area: 49.800 m2. Project date: 2003

592 proposals from all over the world were received. The competition intended to impulse the regeneration of downtown Mexico City and to create a new Library to coordinate an electronic network of 6,500 public libraries throughout the country. Our project consists of a 286 m long building, divided lengthwise into 5 bands of 10 m wide each. The middle one is a tree plated empty space, thus nobody is more than 10 m away from natural light. From the roof climbing plants fall. At ground level, the Library is crossed by a “S” public park, of 1.82 hectares. At the same time as offering greenery and rest to the public, it insulates the Library from its noisy surroundings. The entrance to the building is through a public square, which also serves the adjacent Train Station. We consider that the relationship between the public and the book should be as close as possible. Likewise, the readers would locate their own material with the help of computers (and librarians if necessary). They would read “in between” the books. At the same time as reducing staff, this proximity highlight the tactile and visual values of the books. As such, the reading areas should be in between the shelves. On the other hand, the interior views should embrace the maximum of the library in length, section and diagonals. This offers an interior landscape of great diversity, movement and expanse. A structure that would adapt to this concept was searched. Also to consider was the load that doubles the normal due to the weight of books (500 kg/cm2). Undulating slabs with a width of 10 m, supports every 16 m, and thickness of 25 cm to avoid vibrations were designed. These slabs join and separate at a range that goes from 3 to 6 m in height. Each band undulates alternatively in respect to the adjacent one, producing “eyes” that allow for diagonal views from one floor to other. Every 16 m, on axis, the slabs connect with “T” prefabricated beams that provide for the passage of service canals and ducts. These beams support themselves in columns that form rigid transversal frames. Perimeter diagonals resist the horizontal lengthwise stress. In the upper areas of the slabs are the lobbies and the reading areas. The book shelving maintains a constant height of 1.4 m in relation to the mentioned highest level, assuring the lengthwise views. In the “valleys” of the slabs other more sheltered reading areas exist. One ascends and descends on 7% ramp. In all cases the floors connect horizontally by moving walkways.