Wieland Library, Biberach 
2017/2018

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Semester 3

Prof. Maximilian Rimmel
In cooperation with Jennifer Habnitt and Lea Hofmann

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This project is located in the historic city center of Biberach, adjacent to the church and the market square. The dilapidated, existing building will be replaced by a redesign dedicated to famous Biberach author Christoph Martin Wieland. Based on his literary works, we came up with the idea of a building as a bookshelf, consisting of a grid of larch glulam beams. The beams of the coffered ceiling create open spaces and simultaneously form niches in the interior and exterior facades. These zones can be used for a variety of purposes, either as a reading corner, seating, bookshelf, etc. On the exterior, the building reflects a strict grid system, which opens up to the public space through the glazing. Inside, the building is subdivided by a fire prevention zone, including side rooms and supply shafts, constructed of reinforced concrete adjoined to the next building. In this zone, satin-finished glass panels in the facade generate an intimate interior setting.

The library program spans over four floors. On the ground floor, there is a foyer with a museum shop and a small cafe adjacent to a small urban square towards the north. Via the steel spiral staircase, which contrasts the otherwise rectilinear design, the visitor reaches the first floor - an exhibition space for Wieland‘s works. This flexible space is outfitted with movable walls and wooden panels to cover the glass facade if necessary. The following floors contain an office and a conference/multipurpose space.

The appearance of the building form and envelope contrasts the traditional half-timbered houses surrounding the library. Additionally, floor heights are set to fit the program rather than the surrounding context. Through these various design decisions, the Wieland Library is an attractive addition to the city as it catches the eye by diverging from the traditional architectural style of the historic city center of Biberach, Germany.