DAVID SASSOON LIBRARY

LEGIBILITY –
Main entrance grasps attention on view of the structure, as it is projected out from the main building block as observed. The arch over the entrance portico, along with the projected columns from the building block, defines the entrance and provides focus towards it, making it legible from a distance. This makes it easy to read and comprehend by the observer.
The arches leading to and within the structure define each space and form the division between two spaces. The long corridor requires certain breaks or divisions to provide a user-friendly experience and to make it legible for the observers. Therefore, these arches, mark the boundaries and make spaces visually perceptible and comprehendible by the viewer.
The arches and columns on which they rest are extremely prominent features, which are well read from a distance. The columns also mark the visual path followed by an observer when viewed from within the structure. They are also key elements which provide balance and symmetry to the structure, making it easily legible.
The arches are the key elements, responsible for visual perception and legibility of the structure and break the solid mass of the structure into three horizontal units or segments, making it easily legible.
The grand stairway defines the room due to its span, explaining its width and makes the space easily comprehendible by the viewer.

PENETRABILITY –
External Penetrability - Visual penetrability is about the visibility and transparency of a domain and describes the way in which our gaze is allowed to penetrate spaces and barriers. The arches integrated in the façade of the structure are the key elements of visual penetrability. They permit view within the structure from the exterior environment and allow us to perceive the space within the structure. They also break the solid mass form of the façade through their voids, and through penetrability, allow one to comprehend the structure and balance it visually.
Internal Penetrability - A visual connect is maintained between the exterior and the interior of the structure through the arched windows present within the structure. The woodwork details in the window frame, play with the penetrability, adding the element of complexity to the structure and simultaneously allow one to perceive the outside spaces through it. The huge scale of the openings plays a role in the penetrability of light into the structure as well as the view obtained from the windows.

OCCUPIABILIY –
Occupiability is a description of the affordance offered by an environment for pause and for durable occupation. The architectural design favours durable occupancy of a space via the long corridors in the library. They are responsible for facilitating movement and being dynamic in character and allow pause points and occupancy for only a short period of time, as they function mainly as movement paths. They provide a human to space interaction and the aesthetics and grandeur of the corridors along with its large volume too, encourage the occupiability of the space.
The garden has the physical attributes and characteristics that would make one want to pause there for a duration of time to enjoy its peace and beauty. The benches and seating arrangements promote the occupiability of the region and attract individuals and groups to spend some time there and occupy the area. The greenery and trees provide a soothing calm environment with ample shade in several areas, which make it favourable for occupancy and social gatherings. There is ample natural light and ventilation reaching the region due to being placed in the open, which again aids the occupiability of the garden of the library.
The reading rooms in the library are occupiable spaces due to several factors, the most important being that they provide a particular function/ activity – reading, within the library that attracts people to the space, thus aiding occupiability. They also have ample amount of natural light as well as artificial light which makes the region comfortable for the reading activity along with good ventilation due to the large windows and adjacent balcony present. Group discussions and engaging in conversations make the reading space in the library occupiable too. Physical comfort such as back rests provided on chairs and a table to place belongings and books upon for reading, increase the occupiability of the region too.
The balcony region can be considered as an occupiable region due to the architectural and physical factors supporting it. The view from the balcony and its proximity to the outside attracts individuals to the area, increasing the occupiability of the region. The openness of the region allows ample amount of sunlight and ventilation, making it a very comfortable space for people for gatherings as well as for reading.

POSSSESSABILITY –
The reading room within the library is a possessable space as one can remain there for 13 hours a day to the maximum and use the facility, including the free wi-fi which attracts more people to the space. It allows for group discussions as well as individual reading spaces and is a quiet and comfortable zone, with sufficient seating. The good amount of sunlight, ventilation, openness and peace, makes it a possessable space for individuals who repeatedly come to the library to enjoy its facilities.
The garden is another possessable space in the library premises which facilitates seating and gathering of the members of the library. The greenery and outdoor spaces attract people and makes them want to stay for a long duration in the region. There is a good amount of sunlight and ventilation which facilitates the possessability of the garden.
The architecture of the balcony region makes it a possessable space through the openness provided by the large volumed arches which provide direct connectivity from the inside to the outside of the structure. The openness allows for lots of sunlight and ventilation as compared to the inside of the library and makes the region more possessable due to the comfort provided. The chairs are close to luxurious with their reclined backs and spaced-out layout which again increases the possessability of the balcony.