VASCONCELOS LIBRARY BY ALBERTO KALACH
Vasconcelos Library
The architect of Vasconcelos Library is Alberto Kalach, who was born in Mexico and established the firm "Taller de Arquitectura X" 1. Kalach is considered one of the most versatile among the architects in Mexico and has worked on a wide range of projects that cover residential areas, civic structures, and contemporary buildings. Jose Vasconcelos Library is considered an award-winning project by him and is the largest public library in Latin America. Around the middle of the 1960’, the architectural profession saw two visions, one was the vision of the modernity, and the other was to achieve that vision in the most efficient way with the help of technology. Architects were fascinated with Neoliberty forms but the public was still not well aware of modernism 2. It is not unfair to call the eighties as the Gilded Age of theory in architecture. The variegated theoretical palette of architecture was joined by pretentions of post-structuralism and deconstruction. In recent years, a host of variables is seen to effect rule aesthetic senses in artistic works and buildings. The structures do not necessary focus on beauty but evoke an emotional response for the viewer and are connected to communal activities. The essay focuses on a specific building between the late 1960s and the present and the project chosen for this paper is Jose Vasconcelos Library in México. The paper examines the library historically and looks at the different conditions that made it possible. The library is considered an arc of knowledge in the Mexico City.
___________________1 “Vasconcelos Library Biblioteca Vasconcelos”. n.d. static1.squarespace. (May 5, 2016). https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5313b826e4b02a8d25126c66/t/54e3b997e4b002fddcd0c29b/1424210327302/Case%2BStudy%2B2%2Bbirdsell%2Bbruno%2Bgonzalez%2B%281%29.pdf2 Harry Francis Mallgrave and David J. Goodman, An Introduction to Architectural Theory: 1968 to the Present (John Wiley & Sons, 2011), 288.
Post-modernism as an aesthetic trend rejects any technological innovation acting as a driving force. It embraces the common and popular culture while discarding the abstract. It rejects the excessive limitation and narrow expletive range of the modernism. The marketability and popularity were more essential for the architects. There are several questions about postmodernism, and it eludes definition as it has changed over the course of time along with the changing world and architecture. Thus, the definition is subject to future revisions as postmodern architecture departs from the angular geometries of the Bauhaus and flirts with fantasy and kitsch. Postmodernism definitions cover a wide range of words such as relativism, play, parody, fragments, hybridity, kitsch and camp 3. When discussing Postmodernism and Postmodernity, one can make a distinction by saying that Postmodernity features globalization and localization while Postmodernism refers to the cultural sphere. Postmodernity may be global in nature but not identical and covers postmodernism in the arts, philosophy, and cultural studies. Postmodernity is an interactive, planetary phenomenon while Postmodernism applies to consumer and media-driven societies. Post-modernism associates with aesthetic and intellectual movements behind architecture and literature while post-modernity refers to changes in social and economic institutions. Architects rejuvenate cities on the basis of their professional fantasies, and this is when one comes across post-modern architecture in all its glory 4. There has been an extraordinary renewal of interest in early modern architecture, and this is
___________________3 Ihab Hassan. “What Was Postmodernism?” 2001. ihabhassan.com. (May 7, 2016). http://www.ihabhassan.com/postmodernism_to_postmodernity.htm4 Ihab Hassan. “What Was Postmodernism?” 2001. ihabhassan.com. (May 7, 2016). http://www.ihabhassan.com/postmodernism_to_postmodernity.htm
looked as a response to neoconservative postmodernism and for gaining insight into the contemporary architectural culture. Postmodernism plays a significant role in Mexican architecture and is subjected to and political constructs 5. The underlying assumptions inspire greater appreciation that encourages important contribution to the modern movement. The most common, understanding of the postmodernism is to reject the formal and social constituents of the modern movements and hold on to a formal language. It is more about what the advocates of postmodern architecture reject that what they embrace. They seek an ideological justification. It does presents certain difficulties when one links architecture and politics which carries a generalized cultural association. It is not easy to deny that some kind of ambiguous connection exists between the two realms and architectural activities influence power relations in some ways. Thus, the link between architecture and politics reflects architecture's role in the economy and culture 6. Postmodern architects rejected the modern movement's faith in the new and wiped out differences in tradition and experience. They embraced historical styles and sought to establish cultural continuities. The Mexico City
Latin America is a vast region that carries intrinsic limitations and problems. The manipulated constructed environment that one sees are the effect of architecture, urbanism, and historic cultures. What makes the saturation more complex are emigration, travel, and other influences 7.
____________5 “Modernity and the Architecture of Mexico”. 2016. utpress.utexas (May 7, 2016). http://utpress.utexas.edu/index.php/books/burmod6 McLeod, Mary. 1989. Architecture and politics in the reagan era: From postmodernism to deconstructivism. Assemblage 8 (8): 23-59.7 Luis E. Carranza and Fernando Luiz Lara.Modern Architecture in Latin America: Art, Technology, and Utopia. (University of Texas Press, 2015), 424.
During the most of the 20th century, Mexico underwent urbanization and construction of public building such as hospitals, schools and housing. The economic crisis of 1994 weakened the economy 8, and the result was that it was the private sector that took on the responsibility of the construction industry and the government stepped back. By the 21st century, Mexico City was transformed into an urban space filled with residential areas, offices, and shopping centers. The results were congestions, pollution and traffic issues. Teodora Gonzalez is considered to be one of the most notable architects of Mexico because of his own architectural language and numerous works. He designed several projects that were funded by the government. He experimented with floor to ceiling glass, asymmetric lines, and concrete abstract work. Monumentality and massive architecture in Mexico lead to the movement known as Brutalism. The exposed material and rough finished concrete were made with the use of gravel with the larger diameter. A large number of architects were using concreate with the rough look. Another significant aspect of Mexican architecture was the use of polished concrete. One finds new proposals for spatial reconfigurations in Mexico during the 1990s.The architects were once again working with traditional constructive systems and space 9. A minimalist language was used for architecture based on glass, concrete, and steel. The beginning of 21st century saw the architects experimenting with design abstraction. They were using clean planes and octagonal lines with the material exposed naturally 10. Floor to ceiling glass and polished concrete too was being used. The massive works of the 1990s and
____________8 Ana Paula Ambrosi, Silvia D. Zárate, Alex M. Saragoza. Mexico Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic [2 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic (ABC-CLIO, 2012), 728.9 Ana Paula Ambrosi, Silvia D. Zárate, Alex M. Saragoza. Mexico Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic [2 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic (ABC-CLIO, 2012), 728.10 Ana Paula Ambrosi, Silvia D. Zárate, Alex M. Saragoza. Mexico Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic [2 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic (ABC-CLIO, 2012), 728.
1980s were replaced. Mexican architects were influenced by the minimalist movement popular internationally. They created new textures with Mexican materials such as volcanic stone and baked clay. Several large-scale projects redefined the landscape of Mexico City. Before designing the library, the team of architects, engineers and designers had to keep in mind certain fundamental considerations regarding the Mexico City. The city is one of the most polluted urban environments on the planet. The library was to be built on a barren urban 11 Landscape and its objective were to reorganize available human knowledge. The readers inside the library can connect with the Botanical Garden house which boasts of a wide-ranging flora and thus nature around. The inside areas carry natural lighting and ventilation. Kalach proposed European Spatial designs in the Mexican architecture and made use of typical Mexican building materials include concrete, steel, wood, and clay 12. His designs carried a spatial organization from a single axle. He admits in an interview that he has been influenced by all types of architecture and architects. He finds intelligence in the optimization of space in a playful way. One should careful when following trends especially with architecture. The city life in Mexico is hot and thick with the pollution, and there are many that still live without power or sanitation. Mexico City remains one of the most complicated urban areas of the world, and it is nevertheless an exciting place for contemporary architecture today. The city is constantly changing, and thus providing ample opportunities adventurous architects 13. The scene of the young architecture is different here, and it relies on trails set by modern founding
____________11 “Vasconcelos Library / Alberto Kalach”. 2010. archdaily.com. (May 5, 2016). http://www.archdaily.com/98584/vasconcelos-library-alberto-kalach12 Ana Paula Ambrosi, Silvia D. Zárate, Alex M. Saragoza. Mexico Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic [2 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic (ABC-CLIO, 2012), 728.13 Daniel Rauchwerger. “La Nueva Arquitectura: A Look At Mexico’s Vibrant Young Architecture Scene”. 2013. architizer (May 7, 2016).http://architizer.com/blog/la-nueva-arquitectura-a-look-at-mexicos-vibrant-young-architecture-scene/
fathers of the young architecture is different here, and it relies on trails set by modern founding fathers. The result is a growing economy, an overload of creativity and new architectural firms. The expanding architectural generation of Mexico' is made of successful architects with interesting ideas. Both large and small scale projects are flourishing and busy in restoration and redesigning. Public libraries in Mexico get funded by the federal government that defines library policies and acquisitions plus other development practices 14 .Mexican libraries are noted for their historical significance and rare collections. The growth in the number of schools and libraries raised the literacy rate in Mexico with an impressive increase. However, there is still a difference in libraries in urban and rural areas. The libraries in urban areas are larger and technologically equipped. It is a constant scuffle for libraries to serve the general population and making knowledge available for all citizens and indigenous communities, with public libraries and internet access.
Vasconcelos Library
Vasconcelos Library in Mexico designed by Kalach shows the spatial characteristics. A light structure supports the mobile bookshelves, and the library is surrounded by a large green area, thus isolating it from the surroundings. The Library is located in Valle de Aragón 1ra Sección, Mexico. Enrique Arriaga was responsible for the Structural Design while Adriana León too responsibility for the interior design. The project year for the Library is 2007 15 and the area
____________14 Joseph.“The Current State of Libraries in Mexico: Service, Connectivity and Culture”. 2012. careerlibrarian (May 7, 2016). http://careerlibrarian.com/lis-blog/the-current-state-of-libraries-in-mexico-service-connectivity-and-culture15 “Vasconcelos Library / Alberto Kalach”. 2010. archdaily.com. (May 5, 2016). http://www.archdaily.com/98584/vasconcelos-library-alberto-kalach
covered by the library is about 38091 sqm. The steel, concrete, and glass structure of the public library integrates with a botanical garden and is surrounded by greenery and water.
Without a doubt, the José de Vasconcelos Library is a remarkable example of architecture that carries typical traits of Mexican monumentalism and the pre-Columbian inspirations 16 that are disrupted by an amazing interior transporting you to a science fiction. The main gesture of the central space is filled with the baroque scheme of hanging shelves from the sky. The lateral sides are reserved for the most intimate niches for the readers and scholars. The expanded space makes for climactic and acoustic protection. With a higher focus on solar protection and ventilation, there is no air conditioning in the building. This is what makes an enviable degree of immediacy and public accessibility in the building. Jose Vasconcelos Library in Mexico City remains one of the most expensive public projects in the recent history of Latin America 17. The colossal library was criticized for its enormous costs and money that could be used to take care of other problems of the city. The library is an unusual piece of architecture and is truly astonishing, controversies aside. Opine can sense a strong sense of style in its global contemporary design that combines Mexican culture and is poetic in nature. The use of raw materials such as hardwood and stone integrates a visual language that draws from modernism and vernacular styles and methods of Mexico. The design strategy for Vasconcelos Library suggests new prospects for interactive learning, public participation, and exhibition opportunities. The new “Calle de Los Libros” 18 connects the
____________16 Iñaki Ábalos.“Latin American Architecture Today”. 2016. Harvard design magazine. (May 5, 2016). http://www.harvarddesignmagazine.org/issues/34/latin-american-architecture-today17 Daniel Rauchwerger. “La Nueva Arquitectura: A Look At Mexico’s Vibrant Young Architecture Scene”. 2013. architizer (May 7, 2016).http://architizer.com/blog/la-nueva-arquitectura-a-look-at-mexicos-vibrant-young-architecture-scene/18 “Jose Vasconcelos Library”. 2016. ericowenmoss (May 7, 2016). http://ericowenmoss.com/project/jose-vasconcelos-library
site from north to south and provides broad views of the city at the northern end. Library visitors enjoy an ample open green space on the east; Acoustic Mountain made of the soil excavated to create the New Amphitheater and shields noise from the adjacent Train Station. As the 20th century moved into 21st, there was no one style that unified the Mexican architectural language. The technological aspect and expression of materials were given importance. The center of the compositions was the combination of wide open spaces and geometrical designs on the façade 19 .
Mexican buildings and constructions usually make use of the local and sustainable material. Recently, the focus is higher on sophisticated green technologies and on-site waste treatment. There is a need to lower energy consumptions due to air-conditioning and allow natural light and ventilation. Vasconcelos Library makes use of plain concrete and wood that lower the need to paint. With an on-site water treatment plant and ample daylighting, the vast library campus makes proper use of green architecture and advanced technologies while using the good principles of Mexican architecture 20. Today, Vasconcelos Library attracts a large number of visitors every day from all across the world. It has become a major touristic attraction as well as one of the greatest architectural wonder in Mexico.
____________19 Ana Paula Ambrosi, Silvia D. Zárate, Alex M. Saragoza. Mexico Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic [2 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic (ABC-CLIO, 2012), 728.20 Kaysen, Ronda. 2007.Sustainable design heads south of the border. Vol. 195. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ambrosi, Ana P., Zárate, Silvia D. and Saragoza, Alex M.Mexico Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic [2 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic (ABC-CLIO, 2012), 728.
Carranza, Luis E. and Lara, Fernando L.”Modern Architecture in Latin America: Art, Technology, and Utopia”. (University of Texas Press, 2015), 424.
Daniel Rauchwerger. “La Nueva Arquitectura: A Look At Mexico’s Vibrant Young Architecture Scene”. 2013. architizer (May 7, 2016).http://architizer.com/blog/la-nueva-arquitectura-a-look-at-mexicos-vibrant-young-architecture-scene/
Harry Francis Mallgrave and David J. Goodman, An Introduction to Architectural Theory: 1968 to the Present (John Wiley & Sons, 2011), 288.
Hassan, Ihab. “What Was Postmodernism?” 2001. ihabhassan.com. (May 7, 2016). http://www.ihabhassan.com/postmodernism_to_postmodernity.htm
Iñaki Ábalos.“Latin American Architecture Today”. 2016. Harvard design magazine. (May 5, 2016). http://www.harvarddesignmagazine.org/issues/34/latin-american-architecture-today
Joseph.“The Current State of Libraries in Mexico: Service, Connectivity and Culture”. 2012. careerlibrarian (May 7, 2016). http://careerlibrarian.com/lis-blog/the-current-state-of-libraries-in-mexico-service-connectivity-and-culture
“Jose Vasconcelos Library”. 2016. ericowenmoss (May 7, 2016). http://ericowenmoss.com/project/jose-vasconcelos-library
Kaysen, Ronda. 2007.Sustainable design heads south of the border. Vol. 195. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc“Modernity and the Architecture of Mexico”. 2016. utpress.utexas (May 7, 2016). http://utpress.utexas.edu/index.php/books/burmod
McLeod, Mary. 1989. Architecture and politics in the reagan era: From postmodernism to deconstructivism. Assemblage 8 (8): 23-59.
“Vasconcelos Library / Alberto Kalach”. 2010. archdaily.com. (May 5, 2016). http://www.archdaily.com/98584/vasconcelos-library-alberto-kalach
“Vasconcelos Library Biblioteca Vasconcelos”. n.d. static1.squarespace. (May 5, 2016). https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5313b826e4b02a8d25126c66/t/54e3b997e4b002fddcd0c29b/1424210327302/Case%2BStudy%2B2%2Bbirdsell%2Bbruno%2Bgonzalez%2B%281%29.pdf
