International competition proposal for an extension to Gunnar Asplund’s City Library in Stockholm, which was shortlisted in the top four out of a total of 1170 entries. The value to which Asplund’s library is held, and the iconic completeness to the form it presents, demands spatial isolation from other built form, and establishes it hierarchically as the principle building within the parkland setting of Observatory Hill. Without trying to imitate the landscape, it makes its own interpretation of the hill, which respects the hillside’s shape and height whilst creating new urban facades that give the ridge greater precision and presence in relation to the street. The intimate urban qualities of the project allow the Asplund building to stand out, pavilion-like, and in many ways the proposal is an urban hybrid between landscape and building which is easily recognisable with a character all of its own. The project is conceived as an expansion to Observatory Hill, extending across the site towards Odengaten. Hollowed out to provide the accommodation of the new extension, its roof is seen as a ‘blanket’ of manmade landscape, with its contours and folds adjusting to the complex array of conditions that it encounters around the site. This wrapping form descends onto Odengaten and is met by the approach from Odenplan metro station to form a new public space at lower ground floor, adjacent to the western face of the existing library. From here entrances are made to the new building as well as the existing library via its current basement. From the new entrance hall, it is easy to gain an overview of the layout of the extension and its various functions. The terraced interior is based on well-known library principles that give a feeling of togetherness, whilst at the same time creating more intimate spaces within it. Great holes within the ‘blanket’ allow light to penetrate deep into the space. These holes are interwoven with the column head supports and form a part of the overall texture and character of this manmade landscape as experienced from above. Integrated with existing paths at the top of the park, new paths, ramps and steps navigate visitors across and over the new manmade landscape to connect with the street below.