The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has named Schmidt Hammer Lassen's Dokk1 Library in Aarhus, Denmark as the winner of the Public Library of the Year Award 2016.

© Adam Mørk

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has named Schmidt Hammer Lassen's Dokk1 Library in Aarhus, Denmark as the winner of the Public Library of the Year Award 2016.By beating out the SOM-designed Chinatown branch of the Chicago Public Libary; the Geelong Library & Heritage Centre in Geelong, Australia, designed by ARM architecture; and the Success Public Library by Bollig Design Group; Dokk1 became the first Danish library to win the award.
© Adam Mørk

Completed in June 2015, Dokk1 is Scandinavia?s largest public library, containing space for a citizen service center, offices and automated parking for up to 1,000 vehicles. Its large staircases and outdoor areas connect the building to its site at the mouth of the Aarhus River, allowing the library to become a meeting point for the exchange of knowledge and opportunities. Dokk1 was an instant hit with the community ? within 7 months of opening, the library had already welcomed more than 1 million visitors.

© Adam Mørk

"Dokk1 is a covered urban square - an undulating landscape that facilitates learning, knowledge sharing, innovation and a s...