Located in Belarus a distinct diamond in 1989 a USSR-wide contest was held to choose the best architectural design for the Library. The winners were architects Viktor Kramarenko and Mikhail Vinogradov – proposing the Belarusian diamond design which combines high functionality and ultra-modern design solutions.
The design concept was to construct the building in the shape of a rhombicuboctahedron — a complex polyhedron of 18 squares and 8 triangles resting on a supporting podium (stylobate). The surface of the diamond is covered by heat-reflecting mirror glass which is a green solution reflecting a very advanced thinking of both architect.
The authors wanted the cut diamond shape to symbolize the value of knowledge .Nevertheless, it took 13 years to approve the design.
The National Library of Belarus was opened by the Belarus President on 16 June 2006 with 23 stories with a height of 77 meters located in the city center with a unique lighting system shows how the knowledge is vital in our life.
The authors of the National Library design and other famous buildings are Viktor Kramarenko and Mikhail Vinogradov. They have been awarded the state prizes of the Republic of Belarus twice.
http://www.nlb.by/portal/page/portal/index?lang=en
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