Malmö Stadsbibliotek (Malmö City Library)
Malmö City Library is a unique shooting gem made up of a trio connected buildings. The oldest is "The Castle," a Renaissance-style building from 1901 that was inspired by castles in southern Sweden and Denmark. It was originally built as a museum and became the library in 1946. The newer section is the one photographers come for. Called the Calendar of Light, it won the Kasper Salin Prize, Sweden's oldest architecture award. The main reading room has floor to ceiling glass walls on all sides looking out into the surrounding park. Natural light fills the space and changes constantly depending on the time of day, the season, and the weather. In autumn the light filters through the leaves of the large trees outside and shifts the colour of the whole room. A third building called the Cylinder sits between the two and holds the entrance, information desk, and a café. Glass corridors connect all three. The contrast between the heavy stone Castle and the open glass Calendar of Light gives you two very different interiors to shoot in the same visit. The library is free to enter and open during regular hours. It is a working public library so be considerate with noise and gear, but photography is not unusual here. (Malmö, Sweden)
