Forum University Library

Posted-onBy lineBylineJuliette GRAS
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The LLSH University Library is one of the first buildings that was built on the university campus. After the university restaurant completed in 1965, the so-called Forum Library saw its construction completed in 1966.

Continuity of the project and architectural specificity

The building plans were designed by the campus architect Olivier-Clément Cacoub in 1963 in order to provide a central university library. He used a new construction technique, using concrete poured into wooden formwork (that is why it is called “béton branché” in French). This technique well known in architecture, particularly for basements and ground floors, ensures waterproofing and avoids the risk of water infiltration. As for the science amphitheatres completed in 1968, the concrete is not smooth, but has, on the contrary, the shape of the wooden formwork. This thus constitutes a reminder of the first desire of the first architect of the campus : the integration of built heritage with natural heritage.

The architectural peculiarity of the building lies in its roof, slightly curved as shown on the second plan below. It makes it possible to avoid any stagnation of the rainwater, which can thus be evacuated.

  • The Forum University Library, 2021, © Marion Gondoin
First architectural plans of the university library by Olivier-Clément Cacoub (1963), © Documents transmitted by M. Serisier, Director of the documentation service of the University of Orléans.

The first studying place to be completed

A few steps from the Forum University restaurant and near the Science buildings which were still at that time under construction, the first library was intended to accommodate students of the prefabricated buildings of the Château de La-Source and future students present in the permanent buildings.

  • Exterior of the Forum library in 1968 © Document sent by M. Serisier, director of the documentation service of the University of Orléans.
  • Forum University Library, 2021, © Philippine Reyes

The buildign was initially a central library, but after the construction of the LLSH buildings and the university libraries of the Law and Sciences and Techniques faculties, it therefore simply became the LLSH library.

Inside the Forum Library (1971) – © C. Attault

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