University Library

Extraordinary Furniture
For the new Freiburg University Library, Brunner specifically developed the modular lounge system banc with its high-class design.

Modular means sustainable: Brunner, the contract furniture manufacturer from Baden (Germany) has realised this and hence specifically developed the lounge system banc for the newly built Freiburg University Library. The individual components can be combined like a unit assembly system, and in case of damage, each part can be replaced easily. Another plus: Brunner seating furniture underlines the functional architecture of the building, creating accents within the scope of the reduced colour concept.

Freiburg University Library is one of the largest scientific libraries in Germany. After some 30 years, the old building, opened back in 1978, had to be replaced, and the new library was constructed. The design for the new building is the work of Basel architect Heinrich Degelo who won the architectural competition. After six years’ construction time, the new Freiburg University Library was inaugurated in July 2015.

From the outside, the spectacular building with its projecting and set-off glass façade resembles a cut diamond reflecting its surroundings in ever new ways. Inside, the library with its open, well-lit atmosphere provides an ideal learning and working environment. Beside the reading room, where conversations have to be cut down to a whisper and mobile phones have to be switched off, the library also offers a so-called parlatorium. In that room, groups can work together and even loud and committed talk is permitted. All in all, the building offers more than 1,700 dedicated user workplaces on five levels.

Lounge furniture specifically developed for the library
Also spectacular are the elegant banc seating isles and group work places which thanks to their brown leather covers provide a pleasant accent amidst the reduced colour concept: they are clearly discernible from afar. Brunner developed the modular lounge system banc, which can be assembled like a set of building blocks, in a very short time together with Stuttgart design studio jehs+laub specifically for the Freiburg University Library.

A plain U-shaped supporting frame in different widths provides the basis for a plethora of seating options: The fully upholstered seat and back elements are available in three heights. Shapes and colours can be individually selected – whether for 2 or 30 persons, open to all sides or screened off for confidential conversations or concentrated work.

“We are very happy to be able to contribute and do our part in modernising the building and helping the students feel well at ease with the banc system specifically developed for Freiburg University Library”, says Philip Brunner, Head of Sales and Member of the Board of the family-owned company from Baden (Germany).

Brunner furniture underlines the functional architecture
Modularity is an important factor in a public building which is first and foremost judged by its price-performance ratio: banc allows exchanging individual damaged elements quickly and easily. Modular means sustainable. Equally important, the awarding authority stipulated the need for easy cleaning underneath the seating furniture.

banc can be combined with mobile and lightweight side pieces: stools, delicate tables and armchairs with varying backrest heights. In the university library, banc is deployed together with stools from the hoc series and plot laptop tables. In the reading room, students take a seat on prime stacking chairs sporting a straightforward design and an ergonomically rounded seat shell. In the meeting rooms, there are fina cantilever chairs featuring dark throughliner upholstery made of high-quality leather. “The clear formal language of Brunner furniture perfectly underscores the Library’s functional architecture,” states architect Degelo with satisfaction.

Bauherr: Land Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart (DE)

Architekt: Heinrich Degelo, Degelo Architekten, Basel (CH)