Atelier Thomas Pucher to redesign University of Graz Library

Atelier Thomas Pucher of Graz, Austria recently won a Europe-wide competition to redesign the historic University of Graz Library, which was first built in 1895. The reconstruction, which is estimated to cost €27.6 million, is one of the largest infrastructural projects in the University's history in recent years.

Out of 35 submissions, the University selected Atelier Thomas Pucher's proposal for the way it juxtaposed both the new and old elements. According to a press release from the University, the library will stay open at a temporary nearby location during the renovation, with demolition work starting within the next year or so and renovation beginning in spring 2017. Completion of the new library is slated for early 2019.

Atelier Thomas Pucher provided more details to their winning proposal right below.

Project description:

"The library, which is located in the heart of the campus, will have a new auditorium for 430 students. It will include 650 reading and working places for students, as well as a study and examination rooms, administrative and storage areas. At the moment the library holds a collection of over 4 million information carriers."

"The design fulfills the requirements of a 21st century library. Volumes of these functional areas will be independently implemented and three dimensionally combined creating an ensemble of various structures, functions, spaces and styles.

A new generous plaza defines the main entrance, creating the necessary free space. The new design reveals partially the original building of the library, such as the original façade from 1895 will be exposed."

"The design shows a clear distinction between new buildings and landmarked buildings. The public areas of the library constitute a floating bar on the roof of the historic building."

'The interaction results in an ensemble of various buildings and styles', stated Thomas Pucher in a German press release from the University.

"A foyer between the main building and the library forms a new central meeting point. The new auditorium is located in the basement under the newly created square."

Project info:

Client:  Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft m.b.H. (BIG)
Date: 2015 – 2019
Location: Graz, Austria
Typology: Library
Status: Competition Winner
General planning: Atelier Thomas Pucher
Project Team: Thomas Pucher, Erich Ranegger, Bartlomiej Poteralski, Johannes Stöffler, Magnus Griesbeck, Marvi Basha

All images courtesy of Atelier Thomas Pucher.

Click through the gallery below for more project images.