Directly across the Daugava River from the medieval town center of Riga, Latvia a dramatic new building opened in 2014. The Latvian National Library, designed by the world-renowned Latvian-American architect Gunnar Birkerts, brings ancient forms and modern design together in an architectural metaphor known as the Castle of Light.
Latvian folklore tells of a mythical "Castle of Light" that will rise some day from the depths of a legendary lake, restoring the wisdom of the ages to a people who have endured centuries of war, invasion, and occupation. In other folktales, a "Crystal Mountain" challenges men and women to scale its heights -- a task not easily accomplished, but full of rewards for those who are determined enough to reach its peak.
Gunnar Bikerts has incorporated these evocative Latvian symbols into the Library's dramatic design. From its position near the Daugava River, the building's gleaming facade mirrors the distinctive spires of Riga's Old Town, reflecting Latvia's rich urban history, while symbolizing the achievements and brilliant future of the new Latvian nation.
Source: http://www.interpretivesolutions.com/project/national-library-of-latvia/
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