projects | Viabizzuno progettiamo la luce

asac is the library of the biennale’s historical archive of contemporary arts. since august 2010 it has found a new location in a totally restored wing of the palazzo delle esposizioni at the giardini, a project completed in conjunction with the 12th international architecture exhibition. the renovation work consisted in a functional recovery of part of the building that had been partially refurbished in the 80s: a process of strengthening and structural overhaul, new organization of horizontal and vertical paths, a total laying of all technological systems - such as wiring, heating and cooling system and pipelines - and the setting up of displays for all the equipment for material preservation and consultation. the first phase of the project was completed in 2009, on the occasion of the opening of the 53rd international art exhibition, and part of the library was opened to the public. the second phase was completed with the opening of the 350 m2 reading room, a hall surrounded by a two level gallery on which are arranged over 800 meters of shelves containing a collection of 130,000 volumes of contemporary arts and all biennale’s history: architecture, visual arts, cinema, dance, music and theatre. on the ground floor, in special compressible cabinets, are stowed periodicals, contemporary as well as old and rare. the reopening of the library, established in 1928, indicates also the final achievement and the complete running of the historical archive of contemporary arts, and furthermore it means the maintenance of vega scientific park in marghera: historic fund (3 million documents), photo library (with more than 29,000 negatives on plate and 60,000 on film already restored), media library and artistic fund. the light project is designed on several levels and it supplies the needs of space and functionality. the reception and the welcome areas are lightened by hanging light, a graphic effect that draws the space. in the reading hall, light is more technical and spotted, for facilitating the study: spot one points towards the books on shelves, while the c1 darklights hang above the tables avoiding the dazzle effect. in the conference area we find the hanging principio: on the higher part generating an ambient lighting, whilst the lower part creates a highlight in the direction of the bottom. to finish, in the lower levels of the library, the choice was for profile c2, a light integrated into architecture for soaring space distending its height.