A desirable environmental quality for a reading room of a library could be to have generous, natural and diffuse light that does not produce glare. Buenos Aires has a particularly strong sun, especially during the summer, which can not only induce visual discomfort to the users, but also add excessive heat indoors and in this case, it can also rapidly deteriorate the old books. The large window facing north exposed the stored books and reading table to the direct sun for at least 8 hours a day during summer and the mid-season, which induced all the above-mentioned problems. The simple modification of the glazing properties for a frosted and less transmissive glass provided the space with diffuse light, eliminated the degradation issue and reduced the heat gained inside the room. A slight modification in window opening allowed to cross-ventilate more effectively.

“The project consists of the refurbishment of the Carriego Library, the residence of the young poet Evaristo Carriego (1883 – 1912). Located in the historic neighbourhood of Palermo, the project aims to regain the identity of the historic period buildings, rescuing the patio as a structuring argument of the traditional chorizo ​​house, through the incorporation of a seven meter high central area which serves as both a reading spot and a multipurpose space. The original library, until the moment of its partial demolition, had a surface area of ​​95 m2. The project proposes to preserve the areas of the house that have not yet been demolished: the front room and the hall itself, which maintains the original wall and floor finishings. The central area acquires the characteristics of a multipurpose covered patio –with double height– intended for the different promoted activities and that at the same time is the central reading room, with an equipped library for this purpose. An upper clerestory will guarantee natural lighting.”
MDU

The climate of Buenos Aires is Temperate, Humid Subtropical (Cfa) in the Koppen Geiger category. Summers are hot and rainy, with a very high proportion of direct radiation, which, added to the high temperatures, generates a great need for solar control. During a large part of the summer the temperature is pleasant, which allows buildings to work passively with an adequate natural ventilation strategy and effective solar protection. Winters are mild as temperatures rarely drop below 5ºC, and solar radiation is significant, even during the coldest months. These conditions allow not to require heating on sunny winter days. The climate calls for special attention to bioclimatic strategies: even though it offers good potential due to the very strong sun, in summer buildings can overheat very easily; and in winter, the need for heating can be unnecessarily high. In 2050, it is estimated that the temperature will increase by 2.3 ºC in summer.