Selected Bibliography Architecture - Form Space and Order | Page 131

D E PR E SSED BASE PLANE

In both of these examples, Alvar Aalto has defined a reading area
within a larger library space by dropping its floor plane below
the main level of the library. He then uses the vertical bounding
surfaces of the reading area for additional book storage.

Library, Wolfsburg Cultural Center, Essen, Germany, 1962, Alvar Aalto

Partial Plan, Library in Rovaniemi,
Finland, 1965–68, Alvar Aalto

Partial Section
through the main reading room

116 / A R C H I TE C TU R E : F O R M , S PA C E , & O R D E R