The university library has been voted the most beautiful building in both Lund and Sweden. Akademiska Hus is now investing SEK 45 million in nurturing and future-proofing the over a hundred-year-old university environment. When the work is finished, all windows will be renovated and more study places will have been created.
The university library was completed in 1907 on Helgonabacken in Lund. The building, which has a typical mix of styles with features of both Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Gothic, has since been expanded during the 1930s, 1950s and 1990s and more than doubled its area. In 1993, the university library was declared a building monument by the government, which puts the preservation of architectural values in focus in all reconstruction.
Starting in October, Akademiska Hus will begin a renovation of the building's approximately 470 windows, which is necessary because the majority of these are original windows. The work means that all windows, fittings, frames and arches are reviewed and repaired, puttyed, sealed and painted where necessary. The window renovation will take place in stages and is expected to be completed by December 2024 at the latest.
- The beautiful university library is a symbolic building for both Lund University and Lund Municipality. Carefully renovating and adapting it to meet the needs of today and the future is a responsible mission. In order to secure the building's great cultural values, we have involved a number of different experts in the process, including the county administrative board, Lund municipality and architects, says Ali Ranji, project director at Akademiska Hus.
New study places and increased accessibility
In close collaboration with Lund University, parts of the indoor environment in the added parts will also undergo a renovation. With a planned start in February 2024, 2,000 m2 will be rebuilt for better orientation and accessibility, an increased number of study places, larger and more efficient space for exhibitions and a better working environment.
- By utilizing and highlighting the original character of the library room, the hope is that the expectations the building's exterior gives, will be fulfilled during a library visit. The information desk will again be placed centrally in the library hall and today's entrance area will become a new exhibition room, says Ulla-Britt Persson, local planner at Lund University.
- The mezzanine, the middle floor one step up, is also part of the project. Among other things, six group rooms for students will be built here, the entrance hall will be supplemented with a new staircase and an elevator will be installed to make the mezzanine floor accessible to everyone, says Elisabeth Stålesjö, process manager at the University Library.
Just like the window renovation, the remodeling of the indoor environment is expected to be completed by December 2024 at the latest.
This text has been automatically translated, and some inaccuracies may be present.