The new University library

Often considered to be the capital of Europe's petroleum industry, Aberdeen is a comparatively wealthy city. Despite this there has been a marked lack of investment in the city's architecture in the last quarter of the century. 

The city is noted for its distinctive buildings; it has been nicknamed the Silver City for the silvery mica deposits found in the locally quarried grey granite that was integrated into the city's architecture from the mid-18th to mid-20th centuries. Now a new structure has been added to the city's rich architectural heritage. 

The new University of Aberdeen library is designed to provide a 21st century learning and research environment for students, University staff, visitors and the public. 

The library was conceived by Danish architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen as a cube evoking the ice and light of the north. The building has a sharp, modern design and a striking interior of sweeping contours around an asymmetrical atrium. The atrium rises diagonally from the ground floor through seven storys, giving spectacular views of the Silver City and the North Sea.

The £57million project is the largest capital fundraising project yet undertaken by the University, receiving generous support from alumni and private donors around the world in many sectors of business, and from charitable trusts local and national.

Professor Ian Diamond, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, said: “The opening of the new library marks a new era at the University, providing an unrivalled learning environment for our students and staff, and one we are delighted to share with the communities of our region. 

 “This is an outstanding facility of which we can all be very proud. It will serve the needs and ambitions of our University, City and region for many decades to come.”  

Founding Partner of architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen, Morten Schmidt, said: “The University of Aberdeen’s new library will be a meeting place and a cultural centre for the students of the University and the Aberdeen community. 

“The façade of the building will shimmer during the day and glow softly at night, creating a luminous landmark - a beacon - for the whole city of Aberdeen.”

The new library has also been designed with the environment in mind. Rated as Excellent in the world’s leading ratings system BREEAM, the new building will maximise energy efficiency and provide the highest standards in sustainability, disabled access, acoustics, material choices, safety and security.