This afternoon I sauntered down Old Aberdeen enjoying the bustle of students, the autumn colours, a chill North Sea breeze, and the sunlight and shadows on the old buildings. And in the middle of this back in time olde worlde community sit several large modern buildings built over the years as the campus has expanded.
The latest one, the new library building looks like this!
When it was being built I was skeptical, harrumphing with disapproval at this immense greenhouse.
I was wrong. This is a stunning building, a statement of confidence, an architectural art form that asserts the importance of knowledge and the central, crucial role of a library in any University. Walking towards it I was excited and moved by the sheer sheen of sunlight and sky reflecting outwards and downwards upon those coming under its shadow.
I think it's great such bold creativity is invested in making space attractive and surprising, the building exceptional in concept, and a powerful affirmation of the importance of space dedicated to learning, understanding and contributing to the intellectual and social capital that enriches us all. On the way back to the car I played with words and eventually formed a dedicatory haiku, or two!
Propagation of Thought
Glazed green grass blades shine,
growing towards sun and sky;
greenhouse of wisdom.
The foyer brings you straight into the cafe so the place of learnin g and culture has one of its most important departments in the front window – good coffee, light ambience and a buzz of stuff going on.
Then you look up and this is what you see! I took the photo with the permission of the library staff who love the place. Can see why.
Intellectual Discovery
Mind's aspiration:
thoughts beyond known horizons,
spiralling upwards.
This is a place I will want to come to, and come back to, again, and again.
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