Local opposition may force abandonment of architect's Spanish avant-garde building
Plans for a futuristic 鈧�4m library in Seville designed by Zaha Hadid have been thrown into disarray after opposition from local residents.
Construction of the new three-storey library for Seville University has now been halted by the Andalucian High Court after neighbouring residents said it would encroach on a protected green space.
The architect has described the library as a 鈥渟culpted bar of stone鈥�, and her designs are characteristically daring.
But it is not simply the nature of the designs that have incensed local residents. The building would take up approximately 8% of the Prado de San Sebastian park, an area where locals reportedly flock to escape the summer heat.
Seville's council had changed zoning rules to allow the library to be built, but the High Court overturned this following a petition from local residents.
In a statement to the court, residents of the Calle de Diego de Ria帽o in Seville said: 鈥淭he location of the new library clearly violates the requirements of protection inherent in the role of the Prado de San Sebasti谩n as a part of the history of Seville.鈥�
The council now plans to appeal the decision, claiming that a new library will bring tourists and cultural prestige to the city.
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