The Black Diamond in Copenhagen was finished in 1999 and is an extension to the Royal Library. The building is shiny, black facets mirror the sea and the sky at the harbour front.
A large incision cleaves the building into two formations and gives light to the atrium inside. The atrium connects the city with the sea outside as well as the old and new library buildings. The glass facade is held by iron girders weighing approximately one metric tonne per metre.
Apart from the main functions of a library, the building houses The National Museum of Photography, a bookshop, a café, a restaurant and the Dronningesalen concert and theatre hall which seats 600.
The Black Diamond is one of those noticeable buildings in Copenhagen. I remember seeing a lot a discussion about whether it was considered an asset to the city’s collection of architecture, or an ugly addition.
Personally I really like to look of the structure, and since it’s placed by the sea, it doesn’t steal the attention from the old buildings in the center.
What do you think of the library being so different to the rest of Copenhagen’s architecture?
I think the library is a wonderful place, that makes Copenhagen to look more like a really big city. I love this special building, because it is situated close to the inner city, and it’s like a fantastic mirror to the water and especially on a sunny day is magnificient. It is beautifully built together with the old library and there are many exciting rooms with different activities. This library has so much atmosphere and it’s just really impressive how the new meets the old one. For me, it is a great place to relax and study/work with its several reading rooms with unique furnishings.
Copenhagen has a lot to offer, but the Diamond has it all
