Rotterdam’s Stepped Central Library Sprouts a Green Roof and a Beehive!

The <a title="Stepped Rotterdam Central Library Opens Its Own Green Roof and Beehive" href="http://www.bibliotheek.rotterdam.nl/" target="_blank">Rotterdam Central Library</a> has lots more to offer than <a title="Stepped Rotterdam Central Library Opens Its Own Green Roof and Beehive" href="http://inhabitat.com/alicia-martins-amazing-book-sculptures-pour-out-of-windows-and-into-the-streets/" target="_blank">books</a>. The iconic public building by <a title="Stepped Rotterdam Central Library Opens Its Own Green Roof and Beehive" href="http://schatkamer.nai.nl/en/designers/jacob-berend-bakema" target="_blank">Jacob Bered Bakema</a> is part of the <a title="Stepped Rotterdam Central Library Opens Its Own Green Roof and Beehive" href="http://schatkamer.nai.nl/en/projects/centrale-bibliotheek-rotterdam" target="_blank">NAI</a> (Netherlands Architecture Institute) and it features a modernist stepped design, expansive windows, and a huge cascade of yellow pipes. An ideal space for studying, meeting friends, reading, watching films and discovering new music, the library now boasts a new <a href="http://inhabitat.com/green-roof/">green roof</a> complete with a beehive!

The <a title="Stepped Rotterdam Central Library Opens Its Own Green Roof and Beehive" href="http://www.bibliotheek.rotterdam.nl/" target="_blank">Rotterdam Central Library</a> launched in 1983 as an “open, inviting, centrally located building that is accessible to everyone.”

 Its main feature is its striking array of yellow-painted round pipes, which are reminiscent of the <a title="Stepped Rotterdam Central Library Opens Its Own Green Roof and Beehive" href="http://www.centrepompidou.fr/" target="_blank">Pompidou Centre</a>.

Its stepped façade faces the city center, bringing plenty of natural light in while providing lots of area for enjoying greenery and fresh air outside.

Located in one of these steps is the newly opened <a href="http://inhabitat.com/green-roof/">green roof</a> which overlooks the lively outdoors market and provides tables for enjoying tea or coffee.

This <a title="Stepped Rotterdam Central Library Opens Its Own Green Roof and Beehive" href="http://www.greenroofs.com/projects/pview.php?id=1088" target="_blank">green</a> area was subsidized by a municipality initiative that aims to make this great <a title="Stepped Rotterdam Central Library Opens Its Own Green Roof and Beehive" href="http://inhabitat.com/fantastic-ufo-shaped-evoluon-in-eindhoven-was-designed-by-philips-and-now-helds-green-events/" target="_blank">Dutch</a> city <a title="Stepped Rotterdam Central Library Opens Its Own Green Roof and Beehive" href="http://www.rotterdamclimateinitiative.nl/en/100_climate_proof/rotterdam_climate_proof/introduction_rotterdam_climate_proof" target="_blank">“climate-proof”</a>.

In addition to the green roof, a beehive was placed to celebrate <a title="Stepped Rotterdam Central Library Opens Its Own Green Roof and Beehive" href="http://www.jaarvandebij.nl/" target="_blank">“2012, The Year Of The Bee”</a> and teach visitors how the cute pollinating insects depend on us and how we depend on them.

The library’s stairs and elevators are located at the core of the building. These conduits take people throughout the library’s six floors, which hold approximately 250,000 books!

Sun doesn't reach the central spaces, so big pendant lamps were installed that match the building’s grand scale.

A cool ceiling with light reflecting mirrors decorates one corner of a room, adding a modern touch to the interiors.

The library’s <a title="Stepped Rotterdam Central Library Opens Its Own Green Roof and Beehive" href="http://inhabitat.com/variant-shelves-by-daan-roosegaarde/" target="_blank">furniture</a> was designed by Dutch<a title="Stepped Rotterdam Central Library Opens Its Own Green Roof and Beehive" href="http://www.studiomakkinkbey.nl/" target="_blank"> Studio Makkink &amp; Bey</a>, and it plays an important role in defining shared and isolated spaces.

Other furnishings create perfect semi-private spaces for co-working or studying in small groups. 

Organic installations are great for watching DVDs or listening to music, were people can recline and relax back into some tunes.

Rotterdam’s Central Library is a modern and open cultural space for learning that welcomes a whopping 3.4 million visitors each year.