Hi all
These are some photos of the Virgilio Barco Library in Bogota-Colombia
Project Info:
Name:Virgilio Barco Public Library
Location:Simon Bolivar Park-Bogota Colombia
Access: From the 68th Avenue with 63rd street, the park is huge so is hard to miss it.
Check the google map in this thread. It is a public library, so access is not a problem.
A photo permit IS required, otherways the security guards will annoy you. Just ask the reception.
Architect:Rogelio Salmona (1927-2007)
Built:2001-2003
Photos taken:2004
Camera:Leica D2

Photo of the reading hall.

Reading hall from another level

Another view of the reading room

Entrance to the library from the park

Entrance hall, Salmona's latest project always make use of water in one way or another...

View down to the entrance from the roof terrace.
Again, Salmona's projects tend to use the roof as another circulation space, the roof for him was the "5th facade".

View of the city and the Andes from the Library roof terrace.
The building cirucaltion allows for the enjoyment of the surruonding views. It is also surrounded by a green moat and a water pond. Due to its location on the west side of the city it enjoys full view of the western Andes range.

Thanks Juanpa, when franjayo made a thread about Salmona (http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7091), I was wondering about his roofscapes. Now I know it is a part of circulation and what a good idea.
We tend to use roofs as backyards but your pic#6 is showing that there is so much potential in this space as open patios.

Hey you are in Tokyo, do you work here? Where in Tokyo are you?

Great posts, Juanpa!!
Here the kmz... :cool:

very interesting layout!

Wow, is anyone familiar with the Mt. Angel library by Alto? (located in Oregon) The similarities are hard to miss.

Well I think there must be similarities.
Although Slmona worked at Le Corbusier studio for many years, his own work came to have more in common with Aalto's, in the end he won the Aalto medal not long ago (2004?).
Right now I am translating some of his writings for a future magazine to be published in February, the constant repetition of expressions such as "the sense of place" "the character of the place" and "answer to the local character" etc. point to the Aalto influence. Now, how that influence arrived to Colombia? No idea...LC influence was by far stronger.

Thanks Juanpa, when franjayo made a thread about Salmona (http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7091), I was wondering about his roofscapes. Now I know it is a part of circulation and what a good idea.
We tend to use roofs as backyards but your pic#6 is showing that there is so much potential in this space as open patios.

Hey you are in Tokyo, do you work here? Where in Tokyo are you?
Hi Takeshi
Yes I live and work in Tokyo. Usually gravitate around the south, between Shibuya and Denenchofu. However I am Colombian, that is why I have some photos of projects made by colleagues and friends. For Japanese projects I have a small webpage at http://web.mac.com/jpoq/Architecture_in_Japan/Home.html

Regards

Juanpa,
One of your focuses is on pre-Tange period, that is interesting.
I live pretty close to the Koganei Park where Maekawa house is relocated.
I myself went to see the house several times.
We should get to meet and have a drink some time.

Wow, is anyone familiar with the Mt. Angel library by Aalto? (located in Oregon) The similarities are hard to miss.
Yes, that was the first thing came up to my mind. Influence is definitely there. The library has one of the finest interior spaces by Aalto IMHO.

Juanpa,
One of your focuses is on pre-Tange period, that is interesting.
I live pretty close to the Koganei Park where Maekawa house is relocated.
I myself went to see the house several times.
We should get to meet and have a drink some time.


Yes, that was the first thing came up to my mind. Influence is definitely there. The library has one of the finest interior spaces by Aalto IMHO.
Takesh
Good idea, there will be a smal exhibition of the last 25 years of Colombian architecture at the Engineering Faculty of Tokyo University, if you want we can meet there, you will see lots of interesting works by Salmona and many of the people he influenced. He has a long shadow, at least 3 generations of architects have been trained following his ideas (some have gone in a completely opposite direction, though).
The exhibition information is:

展覧会 会期：2007年12月3日（月）～12月14日（金）
Exhibition Schedule　December 3 ‒ December 14, 2007
オープニングセレモニー：2007年12月3日（月）18:00-19:30
Opening Ceremony: December 3, 18:00-19:30
展覧会会場：東京大学本郷キャンパス工学部14号館1Fロビー
Exhibition Venue: The University of Tokyo, Hongo Campus, BLDG14 1F Entrance Hall, the School of Engineering
WORKSHOP
国際シンポジウム「日本-コロンビア学術交流3」
International Symposium “Japan-Colombia Academic Dialogue 3”
2007年12月４日（火）　10:00-18:00
December 4, 10:00-18:00
シンポジウム会場：東京大学本郷キャンパス工学部１１号館１F講堂
Symposium Venue: The University of Tokyo, Hongo Campus, BLDG11 1F Lecture Hall,
the School of Engineering
シンポジウム会場：
東京大学本郷キャンパス工学部11号館1F講堂
Symposium Venue:
The University of Tokyo, Hongo Campus,
BLDG11 1F Lecture Hall, the School of Engineering
展覧会会場：
東京大学本郷キャンパス工学部14号館1Fロビー
Exhibition Venue:
The University of Tokyo, Hongo Campus,
BLDG14 1F Entrance Hall, the School of Engineering

Takesh
Good idea, there will be a smal exhibition of the last 25 years of Colombian architecture at the Engineering Faculty of Tokyo University, if you want we can meet there, you will see lots of interesting works by Salmona and many of the people he influenced.
Oh no, I'll be in New Zealand and Australia from Nov. 30th to Dec. 16th. :(
The exhibition looks really interesting though... if they are publishing a catalogue, buy one for me, I'll pay you later.
So we'll get together after the exhibition, after my trip. :cheers:

No problem! Sou shimashou... (writing in Romaji feels weird)

Wow, is anyone familiar with the Mt. Angel library by Alto? (located in Oregon) The similarities are hard to miss.

no wonder this is so, as salmona was an admirer of aalto's work.

Indeed he was. However he was not alone. As far as I know, the guy that introduced Aalto's idea in Bogota was Sanabria, in the 1950's. He was an acquaintance of Salmona and in my view his residential work during the 50's 60's is the best done in Bogota so far. I have to add that the organicist influence just took flight in Bogota only (it was a natural fit). Other cities like Medellin or Cali have far different influences and narratives. In the end the brick that Salmona used was produced only in Bogota (from the clay of its mountains).
Cheers

Hi!
Agh you beat me and got the Google map quickly. Thanks!

Hi Takeshi
Yes I live and work in Tokyo. Usually gravitate around the south, between Shibuya and Denenchofu. However I am Colombian, that is why I have some photos of projects made by colleagues and friends. For Japanese projects I have a small webpage at http://web.mac.com/jpoq/Architecture_in_Japan/Home.html

Regards

Juanpa, fantastic photos (that Maekawa house really gets my juices going).
NB Yokohama Ferry Terminal was designed by "Foreign Office Architects"

I'm guessing by the relatively few things you've posted there that you've not been in Japan that long? What are you doing there - where do you work?
(former Japan resident and missing it)

Hi Gorgon
I have been here for 6 years already, back into architecture since close to 4 years and since 2 years ago trying to do my own stuff. In Colombia I worked close to 9 years, but as you might know that experience is not easily transferable here. Anyway, here I work with my wife (who is the real estate/manager/pr,etc.) developing small housing projects and I do the architectural part. It has been hard as hell... to be kind hahah.
I saw you are based in Edinburgh? I studied at the Mack some years ago, for some reason many japanese like to study in Glasgow, interesting.