Library Buildings around the World

Phase 3: Recreation Centre
The Recreation Centre will complete the Community Centre development with an addition of 9,500 sq. ft. of space. This
space is designed to facilitate more public outdoor gatherings through openings on the south façade accessing the front
outdoor space. (McCallum)
Menkès Shooner Dagenais Letourneux Architects, Montréal, QC – Canada
http://www.msdl.ca
Libraries :
Bibliothèque de Théologie du Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, Montréal, QC – Canada 2004
Le dévoillement de l´espace original constitue le geste essentiel de la restauration de l´ancienne Chapelle. Par ailleurs, le project loge
une bibliothèque de 175.000 volumes et génère un vaste volume aux fins pédagogiques et culturelles. La coeexistence des fonctions
nécessite la démultiplication des surfaces et la séparation symbolique et phonique des activités. Entre la nef et le choeur, un écran de
verre structural distance les étudiants de l´espace d´exposition des livres ançiens. Les détails contemporains par leur finesse,
distinguent l´intervention actuelle et introduisent une mise en valeur mutuelle des composantes nouvelles et anciennes.
L´aménagement de cette bibliothèque considérable relève de la création d´éléments contemporains performants et d´une
restauration exemplaire. (Menkès)
MJMA (MacLennan Jaukalns Miller) Architects, Toronto, ON – Canada
http://www.mjmarchitects.com
Libraries:
Niagara Falls Community Centre and Library, Niagara Falls, ON – Canada 2005
Client/Owner City of Niagara Falls &YMCA of Niagara, 106,000 sqf., Construction Costs $ 21,000,000,
The MacBain Community Centre is a multi-stakeholder civic project that combines several community programs under one roof. A
central lobby, with reception and snack bar, provides common access and views to several key building areas: the public library,
gymnasium and swimming pools. The YMCA of Niagara operates the gymnasium, courts, fitness and aquatic centre for the City of
Niagara Falls Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture. Multi-purpose facilities for community meeting and wellness functions
are shared with Heart Niagara, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Niagara and the Coronation 50+ Seniors Centre. Also accessible
from the lobby is a state-of-the-art branch of the Niagara Falls Public Library. Built on a highly visible landfill area at the corner of
Montrose and McLeod Road in Niagara Falls, the rejuvenated site now features re-naturalized areas, parkland, walking trails,
children’s playground and skateboard park. This project was completed in joint venture with Chapman Murray Architects of
Niagara Falls. (MJMA)
Wellesley Community Centre / St. James Public Library, Toronto, ON – Canada 2005
Client/Owner City of Toronto, Toronto Public Library, Project Area 55,000 sq.ft., Construction Costs $10,000,000
Awards:
2007 Ontario Library Association Award of Excellence
2006 Design Exchange National Awards – Bronze Award
2005 Toronto Architecture and Urban Design Honourable Mention: Building In Context
The Wellesley Community Centre and St James Town Public Library is a joint project between the City of Toronto and the Toronto
Public Library to provide a community focus for the dense St. James Town inner city residential neighbourhood. The 50,000 square
foot facility integrates a public library branch, a second-level childcare centre with private exterior play courtyard, and an athletic
component with a weight and fitness room, an aerobics studio, and a gymnasium. Located at the north-east corner of Wellesley and
Sherbourne, the hybrid civic building provides an active street edge along the Sherbourne Street elevation and establishes a green
park zone along its east edge to Bleeker Street. The public circulation system of the facility is totally transparent and evident from
the exterior. The public components all open on to a central public lobby that is equally accessible from both the street and park
sides of the facility. (MJMA)
Whitchurch – Stouffville Library and Aquatic Centre, ON – Canada 2001
Client/Owner Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, Project Area 32,000 sq.ft., Construction Costs $6,700,000
The Whitchurch-Stouffville Library and Aquatic Centre is located within Stouffville¡¯s park system at the centre of a new quadrant
of residential expansion. The hybrid community centre is composed of three major public components that share an open, common
lobby: a 1,200 square metre fully digital community library and resource centre, an aquatic hall with a 25 metre fitness pool, shallow
water teaching, children¡¯s basins, and a fitness and training facility including exercise and dance / aerobic rooms. The facility is
designed for future phased expansion of both the library and community program areas. MJMA was responsible for the master
planning of the central park area to ensure that the major public halls each connected to landscaped exterior gardens and were
oriented to park views. (MJMA)
St.Laurent Don Gamble Community Centre and Library, Ottawa, ON – Canada 1995
Client/Owner City of Ottawa, Construction Costs $11,000,000
Awards:
1997 Ontario Association of Architects Architectural Excellence Award
1996 Ontario Library Association Building Design Award
The project, now called the Don Gamble Centre, entailed renovating adjacent centennial-era buildings, a pool, an arena with a link
through the addition of a new 15,000 square foot library, a music theatre studio, a daycare centre, senior's and youth centres, and an
arts studio. A new dance studio, weight room, and multi-purpose gymnasium were also added to the complex. The pool and arena
underwent substantial renovations including a new ice slab, change facilities, and building services. The Centre also included
extensive landscape work to incorporate an outdoor splash pad, a garden, and playground. This facility functions as the heart of an
established residential community. This project was a joint venture with David S. McRobie Architect of Ottawa. (MJMA)
32