Libraries are testaments to knowledge - and often gems of architecture. This also applies to the minimalist new building of the Stuttgart City Library, which opened in 2011. The square building rises some 40 meters into the air. The facade is a monolithic cube of gray concrete and matte glass that exudes a certain hardness. The interior of the library, on the other hand, is designed entirely in white - from the walls to the floor to the stairs. The effect: everything seems light, clear, at peace with itself.
Anyone entering the municipal library is initially greeted by a high, empty room, the so-called heart of the library, which leaves the hectic outside world behind. From there, the reading room extends over several floors, connected by open staircases. On each level there are galleries with bookshelves and reading places. Around 500,000 media are on the shelves, provided they are not on loan. Because everything is in white, the many colorful book spines bring color to the futuristic building. The glass roof over the atrium provides plenty of daylight in the galleries.
Library of the Year Award
The "Lesbar" café and, in summer, the roof terrace invite you to linger. From here you have one of the most beautiful views over the city. The city library has a special feature in the evening: the façade glows a bright blue in the dark.
It is well worth a visit. The "temple of books" is a solitaire among libraries worldwide. The architecture firm Eun Young Yi has received many awards for its impressive work, including the "Library of the Year" award in 2013.
The city library on Mailänder Platz is the central library. Stuttgart City Library also includes 18 district libraries, the pop-up libraries in Hedelfingen and Obertürkheim, the mobile library and the virtual e-library.
Stuttgart City Library
