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In Switzerland, public record offices and libraries are sometimes referred  to as “the brain of the community” because these library archives hold the country’s most valuable documents.  Architecture firm EM2N, based out of Zurich, renovated the Basel-Landschaft canton’s archival library this past year and the design is highlighted in the February issue of Metropolis.  

I found this article to be incredibly interesting because of how architects at EM2N were able to update the design of a ”typical’ underground library.  Important archives typically have been built underground in order to prevent the elements from weathering and destroying its valuable documents, but, EM2N was able to create an archive in a two-story building.  The design, which locates the archive in the center of the building while the office spaces line the perimeter, provides the necessary protection for the library while still making it open, airy, and fresh.

The black-steel staircase leads to the third floor, where the open library and exhibition space is centrally located and surrounded by beautiful views of the city landscape.

Another interesting fact is that this space also houses a bomb shelter -which is required by Swiss law to provide sufficient shelter space to protect each of its estimated 7.5 million citizens.