Central Spaces // Public places: Redesign of the Koudenhorn police building into a public library and city dwellings

The Koudenhorn police building is located in the historic inner city of Haarlem. It sits on the western bank of the Spaarne river, along which runs one of the main traffic arteries of the city. To the north the plot is defined by the wide canal of the Nieuwe Gracht. The narrow Zakstraat runs along the southern side. Due to its current function, accessibility to the public is very limited and the courtyard is scarcely utilized. Haarlems central library is struggling with overdue maintenance, poor energy efficiency, an outdated spatial layout and a lack of space to make major changes. Relocating to the Koudenhorn building provides the space to create the desired future-proof library. The building is large enough to house more than a library. In order to alleviate some pressure from the housing market, additional dwellings will be realized. They are connected to the library though programme and the courtyard, which offers spaces for appropriation by visitors and residents alike.Concluding from case study research, buildings with a courtyard or central space can be defined using different typologies for the aspects of central space, spatial organization, entrances, routing and daylight. These typologies are the leading principles in understanding and redeveloping the Koudenhorn building.The new central library is organized around four vertical access points. In between are the areas housing the library’s core programme, as well as additional public facilities such as the cafe and auditorium. The repetition of small compartments remaining from the use as a police station are maintained and used for closed stacks. Structurally, two important interventions are done to be able to carry the load of the library collection. Within the central space of the north wing, the interior load-bearing structure is replaced up to the second floor. This allows for the creation of vertical connections through voids and a landscape of stairs. A new load-bearing structure is added on top of the existing structure of small compartments in order to support the library floors above.The new entrance to the library is situated in the original dining hall. A new entrance square will lead up to the level of the entrance hall. Bicycle and car parking are situated in the existing basement and ground floor structure of the building extension underneath. The square acts as a transitional space, extending the library’s sphere of influence and allowing for a more gradual approach to the building. The design aims to create an accessible, inclusive library offering multiple different spatial experiences, focusing on connection over collection. An urban living room facilitating the needs of various users, with the courtyard as a connector between the two programmes.Vacant HeritageArchitecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences | Heritage & Architectur