Library Buildings around the World

Moriyama & Teshima Architects, Toronto, ON – Canada
http://www.mtarch.com
Libraries:
Toronto Reference Library (TRL), Toronto, ON – Canada on design
(see also: North York Central Library 1987)
“Public Libraries are vital to Toronto´s cultural and economic health” said Linda Mackenzie, dirctor of research and
refernce libraries. “The Toronto Reference Library in particular is a cornerstone of city life” (dcnonl.com)
The Library is designed as a cheerful stimulating environment that would attract patrons to the world of books. An
Area for teens, featuring juke boxes with headphones, is a place for meeting friends and socializing as well as for learning
about books. The toddler´s area is designed as a castle with appropriately-scaled furnishings and brightly coloured signs.
A straightforward and easy organization ensures that the Library is non-intimidating. Information centres for each
Dapartment are located in the middle of floors to be readly accessible. Furniture at the information centres is eye-catching
and anergetic (Moriyama)
Members of the public are invited to drop by to hear about the upcoming renovation and expansion of Toronto Reference Library,
Toronto's most popular library on Tuesday, June 5th at 6:30 pm. The open house will take place in the Asquith Room on the second
floor of the library, located at 789 Yonge Street. Toronto Public Library staff and Ajon Moriyama of Moriyama & Teshima
Architects will be on hand to talk about renovation plans. Scheduled to begin in late 2007, the renovation will: *redesign the Yonge
Street building façade to make the library transparent and open to the community, *add a vibrant new glass main entrance cubeM
*add a new Special Collections Centre, *provide expanded space for library programs, *expand the exhibits gallery, *add a new
coffee shop and gift store, *completely renovate the upper floors to create new subject centre configurations, introduce alternative
use areas, idea gardens, casual group gathering areas, improved quiet study areas and enhanced audio and visual learning areas.
The Toronto Public Library is North America's busiest public library system. Every week more than 329,000 people visit its 99
branches and borrow more than half a million items. (http://www.canadianarchitect.com)
Lakehead University Orilia Campus, Library – Canada 2010/11
Opened in September 2010, Canada's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED campus, Architects: Moriyama
and Teshima, Accommodates 1,000 to 1,200 students, 80,000 sqft., Facilities include:
- technology-abled classrooms
- 2 science labs
- 2 lecture theatres (120/200-seat)
- library/learning commons
- food kiosk
- administrative and faculty offices
Opened in September 2011: Food Services & Bookstore building, 271 Bed residence
Lakehead - Orillia's new Academic Building on University Avenue is the first step in the development of a Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) campus, the first of its kind in Canada. Lakehead Orillia's outstanding accomplishments over the
past four years have allowed us to expand into a campus that combines our historic Heritage Place downtown setting with a new
kind of facility - one that showcases our leadership in innovation and environmental sustainability. (http://www.orillia.lakeheadu.ca)
Nova Scotia Community College, New Metro Campus, Dartmouth, NS – Canada 2006
+ Barrie and Langille Architects in association with Moriyama & Teshima Architects
This is a complex project which is of landmark significance to the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC). The location of this
campus on a prominent waterfront site in the heart of Halifax is intended to radically revise the image of the College in the minds of
the government, business and post-secondary stakeholder communities of Nova Scotia. The building is the first phase of the planned
campus development. It contains program spaces for the Schools of Business, Health and Human Services, Applied Arts and New
Media, computer lab, specialist lab, and studio environments. Common services include a Library and Learning Commons, Food
Court, Presentation Centre, Exhibition space, Student Services Centre, and meeting and administrative support facilities.
It is a technically complex design and construction program that incorporates environmental and energy-efficient measures targeted
at achieving a LEED Silver certification. Energy modeling studies indicate that the efficiency of the building design will result in a
46% reduction in energy usage.
Burnamthorpe District Library, Mississauga, ON – Canada 1992
Designing the Burnhamthorpe Library was a process of intense collaboration with City officials, librarians, staff, and users. A
common vision developed of a humanizing environment that would engage the entire community. A low, undulating brick structure
in a peaceful campus-like setting, the Library encourages a relaxed pace, good manners, and respect for fellow patrons. At the
entrance, a 476-ton sculpture of Queenston limestone symbolizes the passage of time and the permanence of nature. (Moriyama)
Nicholson Sheffield Architects, Inc., London, ON – Canada
http://www.mnsa.ca
Libraries:
The London Central Library, London, ON – Canada 2002
joint venture with Shore Tilbe Irwin & Partners.
The new London Central Library re-occupies an existing three-storey department store structure adjacent to a large urban shopping
centre in downtown London. The project scope included a complete renovation of the existing structure and building system/finishes.
Malhotra Nicholson worked closely with Joint Venture Architects Shore Tilbe Irwin & Partners and the management and staff to
complete a functional plan.
The renovated building includes a 380-seat performance hall, meeting rooms, a spacious children’s area, a Garden Reading Room,
administrative offices, the many standard library services, and a Cafe, Offices of Pilar and the London Arts Council and London’s
Business Hall of Fame.
The innovative design features of the new Central Library reflect the ideas and suggestions of London residents who participated in
an extensive process of consultation to identify the community’s needs and expectations of its public library system. Our team has
been recognized for our creative response to and leadership of that process and particularly for accessibility issues
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