Library Buildings around the World

Canadian Architect Award 2005
Holcim Acknowledgement for Sustainable Design 2005
The project is envisioned as an urban form, inflected by the environmental conditions to which it is subjected. Its roof form is
inflected to gather wind and direct it into atria / chimbeys that have been displaced from the original volume of the building. These
spaces inform the sequence of pedestrian movement within the building. The building is ventilated entirely through this natural
stack effect without the use of fans. Air is brought into the building underground, tempering its natural state. Temperature control is
achieved trough ground source heating and cooling, which adjusts the temperature of the building´s concrete thermal mass. The
impact of these measures on energy use is significant. Energy modeling has demonstrated an improvement of 72.8 % over the Model
Energy Code. (Teeple)
Jane and Dundas Branch Library, Toronto Public Library System, Toronto, ON – Canada 2007
12.150 sqf.
The newly renovated library design transforms the previously dark and inward-facing building into a community focal point. It
brings attention not only to the activities within the building, but creates a safer, brighter and more inviting streetscape. A glass
façade on the north face of the building and additional windows on the east, bring soft, natural light into the spaces without excessive
solar heat gain, creating a bright and well tempered interior. Indirect southern light maintains the muted and evenly distributed
interior luminosity, creating the perfect reading environment. The main reading room features open stacks, which allow light to
penetrate deeper in the building. A new youth wing and play zone accommodate the growing needs of young users, and new
computer and research stations enhance the existing collection, converting the library into a research facility. Improved ciculation,
wheelchair accessibility and security increase the efficiency and clarity of the spaces, making them more accessible to the public,
without discrimination. (Teeple)
Burlington Central Library, Burlington, ON – Canada 2005
64.000 sqf.
This addition to the 1960s era Bulrington Public Library required questioning of the original functional organization. A principal
feature of the addition is a narrow, three-storey lobby with entrances from the south from New Street and the Park, and from the
north parking area. This lobby is a main orientation point including a café and display areas facing an old row of trees from the
original farm property and allowing views to the park area to the west The addition wraps around the the south of the existing
building creating a new image to the Park and the New Street. At the lower level are administrative areas and the upper level is the
two-storey reading room. (Teeple)
Brant Hills Branch Library, Burlington, ON – Canada 2004
21.000 sqf.
This project involved the expansion of the existing Brant Hills Community Centre along with the addition of a new Branch Library.
The 3.500 sqf. addition to the Community Centre involved a new gymnasium and offices as well the re-organization of associated
public spaces. The 7.000 sqf. Library addition is connected to the Community Centre by a new large gallery space that acts an entry
hall serving the east and west sides of the site. The 11.000 sqf. of interior renovations to the Centre was required to integrate the
addition and upgrade existing materials. (Teeple)
Ajax Main Central Library, Ajax, ON – Canada 2003
30.000 sqf.
Awards:
2004 Ontario Library Association Award (New Library)
The new main library simultaneously creates a gateway into Ajax while defining a new civic square. A striking image is created
along Harwood Avenue as the building reaches out toward the corner with a high glazed reading space. This space is the culmination
of a skylit promenade through the library that leads from the entrance lobby. The two-storey arcade defines one side of a new civic
square that has been created between the library and the existing municipal building. This space will form a new focal point of
public activity in Ajax. Prominent spaces within the library overlook this square, including the community room and the children´s
programming room. (Teeple)
Pickering West Library, Pickering, ON – Canada 2003
17.600sqf.
This combined library and community centre overlooks Petticoat Creek on the western edge of the City of Pickering. A large
protecting roof lifts upward toward the ravine, shading the facility and accentuating the exquisite view along the creek. Translucent
glazing is utilized to create a bright interior environment appropriate for library use. The facility contains a branch library, a
senior´s room, as well as a community room for youth programs and a commercial kitchen. All of these facilities are brought
together by a shared gallery space which will be used for art display. The building creates outdoor patio space along the ravine edge,
where users can enjoy exceptional views to this beautiful landscape. (Teeple)
Quinte Technology Enhanced Learning Complex, Loyalist College of Applied Arts and
Technology, Belleville, ON – Canada 2004
52.000 sqf.
The learning resource centre consists of traditional print material with clustered computer stastions, study spaces , student lounge,
circulatin desk/workroom and offices on the main floor. A mezzanine level, with barrier free access, includes two student seminar
rooms, fully wired study carrels and general study spaces that overlook the library. The complex creates strong links between the
college and its rural landscape while presenting a new image for the college toward the entry of the campus. The Computer
Commons consists of a multi-use 24-hour´student access lab´ , and high-speed fibre optig cabling to over 180 computer stations on
two levels. New classrooms have also been created to facilitate multi-task interactive teaching environments, as well as a fully wired
100-seat lecturew theatre. (Teeple)
Eatonville Public Library ( Toronto Public Library System), Etobicoke, ON –Canada 2001
The Eatonville Library is situated at the edge of the city, where the intersection of a major road and a highway occurs. The nature of
that position is captured in the space of the library. A zinc band, reflecting the speed and dynamism of the highway, is stretched
between stone walls that ground the building to the urbanity of the street. This band forms a deep overhang that shades the
clerestory window above the perimeter bookshelves. This minimizes heat gain in winter, while enabling sunlight to penetrate the
48