Library Buildings around the World

levels of the complex, with the major assembly and display programs being located at grade. This includes a large multi-purpose
room that is located prominently at one corner of the Lobby and also creates a direct and convenient link to other cultural
programming offerings by Milton Public Library. The Central Library exerts a powerful architectural presence along the street
frontage, and can easily be identified as a distinct area within the overall complex. In particular, a large cantilevered bay window
and street level glazing showcase the amenities within and encourage public accessibility. (ZAS)
Bram East Community Centre & Library, Brampton, ON – Canada 2012
Client: City of Brampton, Size: 300,000 sqf. integrated building, 34,000 sqf. Library
Located on a 143-acre rural site, the new Bram East Community & Sports Centre is a unique multi-programmed facility containing
over 300,000 s.f. for the residents of a rapidly growing multi-cultural district in Brampton. Inspired by the agricultural and natural
landscape, both the site and building design reflects a modern attitude to design, yet is mindful of its past heritage. Reminiscent of
the adjacent farmers’ fields, the site design is an abstract expression of linearly planted bands of selected vegetation that include
perennial flower beds, framed by grids of bushes and treed orchards. This landscape is also the foreground for the building’s main
exterior feature, a multi-directional curved glass wall simulating the undulations of windblown-planted harvest fields. In its
movement, this glass wall reflects a spectrum of light and images ranging from the distant sky to the immediate landscape that
grounds the building. Conceived of as the new “Centre of the Community”, the facility combines sport, fitness, and library services
on one site and under one roof. The central organizing element of the building will be timber framed public galleria that stretches
along the main façade and links the community centre, aquatics centre and public library. The facility design also includes a future
indoor soccer centre, with a gently arching wood diaphragm structure above the FIFA soccer pitch. Sustainable design strategies
and systems have been utilized to ensure the facility will achieve LEED Silver certification. (ZAS)
Painswick Branch Library, Barrie, ON – Canada 2011
Client: City of Barrie, Size: 15,000 sqf.
This project represents Barrie’s initiation of a multi-branch library system. The 15,000 s.f. branch is situated on an unremarkable
suburban greenfield site that buffers the transition between a commercial zone and a residential neighbourhood. The nature of the
site encouraged a very strong language for the building’s design. Positioning of the building close to the road, with parking located
behind, introduced a deliberately urban strategy and a strong streetscape presence to the area. Strong linearity in the fenestration
and large dramatic gestures such as the main roof with sunshade and the curtainwall “lantern” will establish this building as a
destination within the south end of Barrie. A generous transparent public lobby provides an effective double-sided entrance (from
street and parking lot). The Program Room and primary washrooms are located to one side of this lobby while the library-proper is
on the opposite side, allowing the lobby to act as a natural control point for after-hours community use of the Program Room.
Programmatically, the library is organized in a straightforward linear manner. The stacks are arranged along the south reading
wall, under a double-height space, allowing for easy reconfiguration of the collection as it evolves. Generous seating and browsing
areas line the perimeter of the building, anchored by a Living Room that houses the periodicals, A/V and high-volume materials.
(ZAS)
Burnhamthorpe Branch Library & Cultural Centre, Mississauga, ON – Canada 2011
Client: City of Mississauga, Mississauga Public Library, Size: 56,000 sqf.
Program: 25,000 sqf. Library, 300-Seat Theatre, Multi-purpose Rooms, Seniors/Youth Areas, Art Gallery, Cultural Programming
Space, Dixie-Bloor Neighbourhood Centre, Space Reconfiguration Study
Awards:
Award of Merit - Community Scale, Context, Execution and Living Green - Mississauga Urban Design Awards, 2011
Library Building Award – Ontario Li
Designed in 1974 by Raymond Moriyama, the existing building, with its distinguishable sculptural form and multitude of floor and
ceiling level changes, is a significant example of Canadian modernism providing a unique combination of library and theatre services
to the Burnhamthorpe community of Mississauga. Apart from accommodating program additions and functional improvements,
ZAS enhanced the building’s street presence and provided spatial identity to both major existing tenants - the theatre and the
library, as well as the new occupant of the facility – the local community outreach agency offices. Sensitive and respectful of the
heritage nature of the existing architecture, new building elements radically depart from its current form and materiality. The
existing curved geometry is contrasted with rigidly applied rectilinear grid and mostly transparent, light, glass walls stand out
against existing solid heavy masonry. The 200-seat, 8,000sf community theatre benefits from increased visibility and much improved
delivery access to its back-of-house facilities. A new two-storey wing with 14,000sf leasable space under the green roof was added to
house the offices of the local community outreach agency and boost the building’s street presence. (ZAS)
Beaty Branch Library, Milton, ON – Canada 2008
Client: Milton Library Board, Town of Milton, Size: 11,300 sqf.
The creation of this new branch library represents the first step in the creation of a multi-branch system within the municipality.
Located within an emerging New Urbanist inspired residential neighbourhood, the 11,300 s.f. branch is situated on a compact site
that borders a storm water and naturalized greenbelt. To capitalize on this natural feature, the single-storey library stretches across
the breadth of the site with an arching, glazed façade supplying abundant natural light to the library collections area. A central
program room punctuates this elevation, it’s wood clad frame marking the suggestion of an aperture with views in and out of the
library. A corner entrance is clearly articulated by means of a canopy, signage and materials quality. Within the library, the
periodicals and browsing area overlooks the main, facing street, much like a Living Room to the community. This collage of
building elements and calculated transparency creates a beacon-like effect, particularly notable during the library's evening hours.
Sustainable design strategies and systems have been utilized to ensure the library will achieve LEED certification by the Canadian
Green Building Council. (ZAS)
Ryerson University Central Library Renovation, Toronto,ON – Canada 2004
Centrally located within the University Campus, the existing library occupies eight levels within the multi-storey Jorgenson Hall
building. The design team’s challenge was a complete re-planning of the library’s 17,000 s.f. entrance level, which includes
circulation areas, reference materials, special collections, as well as an expansion of the library’s information technology commons.
Custom millwork was designed for the major service areas of the library, with particular emphasis on the circulation desk and
reference/information commons desk. The remarkable transformation is highly functional, attractive and achieves a revitalized
importance for Library services at the University. Developed within a fast track process, design and construction was completed
while maintaining continuous operation of the library. (ZAS)
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