Augmented information & knowledge networks: Library Revisited.

After the Digital Revolution and the domination of Internet and virtual reality, new mechanisms of experiencing everyday life and space are formed. We are currently living among complex and dynamic people networks under a digital cloud of information and away from real time and space limitations. In this new context the library as a paradigm should be revisited. Since information is no more perceived as a material entity, the needs for physical storage space blur and the emphasis concentrates on information exchange and data processing activities that contribute to the production of new information and knowledge . Therefore, in this thesis, the library is approached as an adaptable system of human activities that corresponds to the dynamic qualities of non-scale data and people networks, that evolves in both physical and digital environment and participates in the controlled growth of knowledge.

The design process is based on the formation of a mechanism that produces multiple versions of a small network of activity spaces (sub-circuit) and provides possibilities of customization, alteration and revision according to the current needs and desires, always ensuring a smooth and direct transition among the activities. The adaptive pattern of a ‘sub-circuit’ emerges in the virtual field of a three dimensional regular grid. The cubic cells can be set as either activity or transition units ˙an option that can be revised during the design process and after the project completion, importing the factors of chance and time in the procedure. Applying the same rules on a wider field, setting the transformable sub-circuit as the current unit and importing principles of the fractal theory (repeating pattern displayed at every scale) , a huge range of ‘Circuits’ are formed. The ‘Circuits of Κnowledge’ are based on a specially formatted digital database that allows data downloading and uploading and at the same time they provide a set of flexible virtual and physical spaces for data process and information exchange. Except of spaces for reading, thinking and writing, seminars, lectures, workshops and more could be held in a ‘Circuit’ since each unit can be customized digitally ,in atmosphere level, according to the activity and user needs. Furthermore everyone can attend, participate in or organize an activity in both digital and physical environment. Therefore, the design of its digital substance was crucial for the project completion. (_website-> datacircuits.wixsite.com/knowledge-network) Meeting the demands of contemporary reality and society, ‘Knowledge Circuits’ could emerge as extensions to existing buildings or as autonomous organisms in the urban fabric, and continue to multiply, evolve and be revised, as long as knowledge does.