David Dvořák - Moravian-Silesian Research Library Ostrava

The Project of Conversion of the Former Coke Plant of Vítkovice Ironworks
The topic of the project is the conversion of the coke plant in the area of Vítkovice Ironworks, the so-called Lower Area of Ostrava - Vítkovice. After many years of efforts to preserve the area in the condition it was abandoned, attempts are being made for its new use for scientific and academic purposes. The aim of the project is to transform the former coke plant into a scientific library in the context of urbanism designed by architect Josef Pleskot (in the urban design by architect J. Pleskot, the coke plant building is designated for demolition). The effort of the conversion is to find new applications for as many parts of the former coke plant as possible. Unused parts are removed.
The main volume of the library is a triangular roof structure of the reading room extending around the "battery" of the coke plant, which now serves as a repository for the library, operated by a mechanical moving robot creating a moving live element in the reading room space. The triangular structure of the reading room roof, made of repeating triangular segments, conceals within it shelves of freely accessible books and other study areas. The passage corridors through the triangular structure are defined by triangular inserted segments with an opening in the shape of an inscribed circle.
A "separate" wedged object is the entrance tower oriented south towards the blast furnaces. The publicly accessible entrance areas of the library are reachable by escalator. In addition to the entrance, the tower contains administrative and seminar rooms. The highest floor houses a café connected to a suspended lecture room with a view of the emerging area and the city.
Another utilized component of the former coke plant is two chimneys, which ensure ventilation of the repository and the reading room through their natural draft.