ADEPT + Sou Fujimoto Win Swedish Media Library Competition

Danish ADEPT, Japanese SOU FUJIMOTO Architects and an advisory team consisting of Topotek1, Rambøll A/S and Bosch & Fjord win the competition for a new library in Falun, Sweden, with the project “Dalarna Media Arena”. The project, which consists of a 3000m2
library and an adjoining plaza, is a part of Dalarna University campus.
Dalarna Media Arena is a reinterpretation of the library – a
multifunctional event- and knowledge center – targeting students and
teachers as well as the local community.

Dalarna Media Arena matches a new library culture, staging a wealth of opportunities for events and inspiration. The library and plaza at
Högskolan Dalarna will be the city’s third space – a dynamic meeting
point with activities for students, employees and visitors.

The library is organized as a ”spiral of knowledge”. The sloping terrain continues in a ramp through the building. Wrapping itself the ramp creates a spiral-shaped space – the heart of the building for
information seeking and easy orientation. This organization of program
creates various learning environments where students can take part in
the vibrant life of the library as well as retreat into various study
niches. The different sound levels and activities create a diverse and
eventful library.

The library has its own spatial character in which library and multimedia functions unite and create synergy with the existing university. Wooden facades integrate the building in the surroundings,
reflecting the local tradition of using wood as construction material.

Dalarna Media Arena matches a new library culture, staging a wealth of opportunities for events and inspiration. The library and plaza at Högskolan Dalarna will be the city’s third space – a dynamic meeting
point with activities for students, employees and visitors.

The library is organized as a ”spiral of knowledge”. The sloping terrain continues in a ramp through the building. Wrapping itself the ramp
creates a spiral-shaped space – the heart of the building for
information seeking and easy orientation. This organization of program
creates various learning environments where students can take part in
the vibrant life of the library as well as retreat into various study
niches. The different sound levels and activities create a diverse and
eventful library.

The library has its own spatial character in which library and multimedia functions unite and create synergy with the existing university. Wooden
facades integrate the building in the surroundings, reflecting the local
tradition of using wood as construction material.

Dalarna Media Plaza is created in addition to the library – together they form a new landmark for Högskolan Dalarna. Through a simple reorganization the car park becomes a new surface with ‘islands’ of
activities. The programming of the Plaza is flexible and will be
developed in the user process. The Plaza, which is a mix of recreational
functions and furniture, serves as arrival area and hang-out space for
users of Högskolan, the library and visitors in the area.

This project will help to attract people in the neighborhood, thereby anchoring the library in the local community. In addition the ambition
is to project strengthen the collaboration between regional and
international educational and research institutions. With its public
functions and activities Dalarna Media Library will become a dynamo in
the area and an attraction for both local inhabitants and businesses.
Activities in the café, exhibitions, lectures, continuing education,
etc. will provide fertile ground for international exchange and
interdisciplinary collaboration.

Dalarna Media Arena is designed by an international team consisting of ADEPT (DK) and Sou Fujimoto Architects (JP) in collaboration with Rambøll
(DK), Topotek1 (DE) and Bosch & Fjord (DK). ADEPT and Sou Fujimoto
Architects also joined forces for the Deichmanske Library competition in
Oslo, Norway.

The jury minutes stated: “In conclusion it’s an exciting building rich on variety and with many possible meeting points integrated in a coherent environment […] The proposal has solved the total program in an
interesting, exciting and playful manner – inside as well as outside.”