Rafael Moneo, on a visit to Deusto and its Library

The architect Rafael Moneo, accompanied by the director of the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum Miguel Zugaza, had a private visit to the University on 17 October. During his stay in Deusto, they had lunch with the Rector Juan José Etxeberria and the President of the Governing Council, Javier López de Ariztegi. Afterwards, Moneo went to the Library-CRAI to once again tour the corners of the ‘building’ he created. 

The work is a structure, with paving and transparent glass, consisting of 10 floors, five underground and five above ground, with open-plan spaces, reading rooms and meeting places. It houses the most important bibliographic collection in the Basque Country and is a glass cube with a life of its own that has never intended to compete with others, although the architect did appreciate the importance of being located next to the Guggenheim Museum when designing it. 

Much time has passed since its opening in 2008 and the Library, as Moneo will have seen, is now one of the city's main buildings.