The glass library - 'Horse on the Ceiling', designed by Zauberscho(e)n in Muenster has clear and transparent interiors due to the extensive glass facade. 

'The Horse on the Ceiling' is the name given to the glass library designed by a team of architecture students from the Leonardo Campus, Muenster, Germany. This is an outbuilding constructed next to the existing library and is named so, because the ceiling is supported by columns reminiscent of the shape of galloping horse legs.

The project and its interiors were designed and completed, while the architects were still studying and the solution emerged from a design project in the school of architecture, Muenster. It was executed in collaboration with Professor, Herbert Buehler, of Buehler and Buehler architects. This glass library by the new studio, Zauberscho(e)n, is situated in a former stable yard on the Leonardo Campus and serves as a combined library for the schools of architecture, art and interior design.

Books collection of all these three schools – architecture, art and interior design – are brought together and are housed in the interiors of this glass library. These books are placed in front of the former horse stables, the walls of which are retained as is and the library is framed by a clear glass facade.

The interior of the glass library has great transparency due to the large glass panels used on its facade. The reinforcement of these glass panels is done by glass fins, hence allowing for a large unbroken surface of clear and transparent glass. The sense of openness and transparency is critical when in making the library, an important focus of the university as the books clearly visible through the glass facade during daytime and more so at night.

 

The interiors of this glass enclosed library are distinctly divided into three areas to create three very different spaces with their own unique atmosphere. At the front, the glass facade is segregated into three study-areas for undisturbed studying and at the back, there is a large table for group work. This large table can be separated when required by an acoustic curtain. This area, at the rear, can be transformed as required into either small areas for individual thinking or a large area for discussions. The glass facade, at the rear, is printed on the outside with a digital motive inspired by the 'School of Athens' by Raphael.

The green colour of the ceiling and black flooring used in the interior along with the brick colour of the surrounding buildings and green trees create a dramatic yet subdued effect, when viewed through the transparent glass facade.

The wing-like roof of the building, at the rear, is supported by three columns with forms derived from movement of horses' legs. A gap of light between the new glass library and the existing stable block illuminates the older brickwork.  

Another beautiful feature is the curtain of water which cascades down the glass facade forming a second transparent layer over the clear glass. Rainwater is collected from the entire length of the roof along an open drain and then flows down the glass facade after which it is collected in an infiltration ditch and returned back to the ground.

 

Fact File 

Project: Horse on the Ceiling 

Architect: Zauberscho(e)n in collaboration with Professor Herbert Buehler

Location: Leonardo – Campus Munster, Germany

Project Year: 2010

Photographs: Roland Borgmann, Courtesy the Architects

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