April 4: Stadsbibliotek

The Stockholm Public Library, designed by Gunnar Asplund and completed in 1928, is one of the most famous examples of Nordic classicism.

4098

4098.jpg

Here it is just coming into view.

4099

4099.jpg

Right next to it is Observatorielunden, a park on a steep hill.

4103

4103.jpg

The terra-cotta color is quite striking against the blue sky.

4105

4105.jpg

The entrance.

4108

4108.jpg

In the foyer, looking through to the rotunda.

4110

4110.jpg

This material is a special sort of highly worked plaster that has a polished-stone-like finish. I can't remember what it's called.

4116

4116.jpg

Inside the rotunda.

4124

4124.jpg

One of the side reading rooms.

4126

4126.jpg

Looking back on axis across the rotunda and out from the foyer.

4131

4131.jpg

There are these narrow passages around the edge of the rotunda.

4135

4135.jpg

Sun on the balcony.

4138

4138.jpg

The way the sunlight through the clerestory windows lands on the walls and floor is all kinds of cosmological.

4145

4145.jpg

Out the front window.

4149

4149.jpg

A rather remarkable little sink in one of the reading rooms.

4151

4151.jpg

Up to the ceiling.

4157

4157.jpg

Lunchtime! Wherever there is falafel, there is a Falafel King.