Alex Fortney's Architecture Projects - Architecture 410

Architecture 410 Project 3 - A Branch Library

Understanding what makes a library effective

Description

The third project consisted simply of designing a library. The program called for a modern library capable of holding something like 100,000 pieces of material. In addition to books, it called for a special media section with CDs and DVDs, a youth/teen center as well as ample computers. Attached to the library called for a conference room with kitchenette and a community center. These spaces were to be used after library hours, so the issue of control and separation of spaces was an issue we had to grapple with. My solution was to create a front and rear zone, the front being the community space with the library behind. An outdoor reading room was also called for, and I designed a deck/outdoor patio on the roof level to give people the opportunity to read and watch the activity on the street when the weather allowed. The overall design focused on the 'open' corner of the site for a main entrance and another rear entrance from the parking lot along the street.

Concepts that I took away from this project was how to design an effective layout for a library and use methods of 'invisible security' to not make people feel like criminals or prisoners, but to effectively prevent theft or walking away with library materials.

The Site

The site actually already had a library on it, but the story goes that it was destroyed. The lot was a half-block, shared with houses. The library is set in a residential area, but its front door is on North Avenue, a commercial street lined with not only restaurants but also a large number of bars. Nearby is a former railroad-converted trail, and is relatively close to the lake.

Site Plan

Precedents

I found precedents from a variety of libraries, specifically ones using rounded or curvilinear facades. Also, part of the project required visiting and local library and performing a case study. I went to the Bayview library, build in the late 90s and had a curving plan as well as a vaulted main space. I integrated the idea of a vault in my project with the rear entrance as well as the overall shape.