THE TIME LIBARAY
Instructors
Arch. Ronnie Alroy
Team
Noam Ron
Einav Levy Ackerman
Year
2023
Location
Tel Aviv University
In the interior design studio project, we were given an exciting challenge: to design a space within an iconic building at Tel Aviv University, originally designed by Louis Kahn, and adapt it to serve as a library.
From the very beginning, we were captivated by the unique light that enters through Kahn’s carefully crafted openings, shifting throughout the day and telling a story of time and movement. As we considered how to create a library that respects the spirit of the building, the concept of a "Library of Time" emerged.
This library would not just be a place to sit and read, but a space where time itself is felt, observed, and experienced. Instead of relying on clocks to dictate precise hours, natural light would reveal to visitors the gentle passage of time throughout the day—each hour appearing different, each moment feeling distinct. Our inspiration came from ancient methods of timekeeping, where there was no absolute control over the hours, only a measurement of time’s flow. These methods, which were far less accurate than our modern clocks, created a unique experience of time—moments when time seemed to slow down, speed up, or even stand still.
In the "Library of Time," the experience is not just about reading and learning, but also about connecting with the rhythm of the day through light. Visitors will be able to sit in the space and feel how the sun’s rays move slowly, how shadows lengthen or shorten, and how the experience of time becomes softer, more fluid, and less linear. Just as the light changes shape throughout the day, so too can our awareness open to a different, more natural sense of time.
