NEWS
Winner of the Salah El-Din Award for Architectural Creativity in The Architecture Category A Student In “Architecture” At UoB Designs a Comprehensive Library to Encourage Reading
Sakhir – University of Bahrain (Khadijah Abdusalem)
13 August 2023
A student in the Bachelor’s in Architecture program at the College of Engineering at the University of Bahrain (UoB) designed a comprehensive library, which aims to change the stereotype of the existing traditional libraries, corresponds to the needs of users, revives visits to libraries, and restores them to their former glory.
The student, Noora Mohammed Al-Dossary, won the Salahuddin Award for Architectural Creativity, given by Mohamed Salahuddin Consulting Engineering Bureau (MSCEB), for winning first place in the architectural design category for graduation projects. The Award is granted annually to graduation projects in the College of Engineering, in accordance with the nomination criteria and their regulations.
Al-Dossary stated that the idea of the project was to design a comprehensive library entitled “Ma’arfa-Knowledge”, containing countless attachments, in addition to the main library, which has several sections, including: a social space, a children’s library, an open library, a private one, an area for scientific studies and research, and more sections, which makes the library a distinctive landmark.
Furthermore, she explained that its design creates an environment with a unique experience, aiming to attract visitors, so that they’d want to visit the library constantly, and will be able to spend time there conveniently, which is done through dividing the spaces in a way that meets the users’ needs, as all facilities shall provide an attractive and stimulating environment for reading, and work to communicate knowledge and information by activating the senses of users. For example, reading rooms are distinguished by their modern designs and stimulating views, and there is a cinema for documentaries and educational films, in addition to rooms dedicated to audio material, to listen to podcasts and scientific recordings, in addition to areas designated for modern education in the children’s library, like a storytelling area. The “Ma’arfa” Library provides other facilities for visitors as well, such as cafes to relax. The location of the library was set in Bahrain Bay, to take advantage of the surrounding area and the stunning sea view.
“I was inspired by the book itself in designing the project, with its cover in the traditional way, and its presentation of various and harmonious topics at the same time. Thus, the idea was applied to the library, so that the external design of it is solid and flat, while the interior design is dynamic, moving, and harmonious.”, Al-Dossary stated.
Moreover, she added that, “The project is characterized by its excellent control of daylight seeping into the building, to be in a suitable and aesthetic manner, as the balance in the amount of sunlight inside the building is taken into account when designing such projects.”. The student worked on the project under the supervision of the faculty member in the Department of Architecture and Interior Design, Eng. Hamad Janahi.
