Library Buildings around the World

Zeidler Partnership Architecten, Toronto, ON – Canada
http://www.zeidlerpartnership.com
Libraries:
Ryerson University, Student Learning Centre, Toronto – Canada 2014
Co-Architect: Snøhetta
Size: 155.463 sqf. (14.443 m²), Client: Ryerson University
Designed by the architectural team of Zeidler and Snøhetta the stunning new building will provide Ryerson student, with an
outstanding environment to study, collaborate and discover.The eight-storey Student Leanring Centre marks Ryerson´s new face on
Yonge Street. It will feature a glassc façade, an elevated plaza, a bridge to the existing library and a range of academic, study and
collaborative spaces for Ryerson´s studends, faculty and staff. Yonge Street frontage will feature destination retail at and below
grade, Creating a prominent commercial façade. With links to te existing library building, the StudendLeaning Centre will offer a
variety of creative and inspiring learning environments and spaces. Every floor will have its own peronalitysome will beopenand
interpretive with flexible furniture and terraces while others will be densely filled with enclosed study rooms for groups of four
toeight people. The top floor will encourage independent, quiet study and contemplation. With full digital support and accessible
adademic services, the Student Learning Centre will foster learning success and help promote a culture of collaboration and
creativity among Ryerson students. The lightweight transparent glass skin of the 155.463 sqf. StudentLearning Centre will feature a
surface design that will create varying light qualities within the interior space. As afurther desmonstration of Ryerson´slong time
leadership in sustainability, the building will be LEED®Silver compliant. At least 50 per cent of the roof will be a dedicated green
roof.
Mohawk Public College of Applied Arts and Technology, Hamilton, ON – Canada 2011
Client: Hamilton
Hamilton’s Mohawk College has broken ground on a centre that is intended to serve both as a regional hotbed for innovation and
entrepreneurship and a community showcase for environmental sustainability. Scheduled to open in January 2011, the $14.5 million
Mohawk Centre for Entrepreneurship, Learning & Innovation will include the new Cummings Library and Learning Commons and
10 classrooms, all with the latest in wireless, multi-media technology. Designed by the Zeidler Partnership Architects, the centre will
be constructed to achieve LEED Gold status. The building will feature a two-storey green wall to filter indoor air and a rainwater
recycling system. College and community events will be held on new outdoor green space surrounding the three-level centre,
establishing the campus as a social and cultural hub on Hamilton’s West Mountain. The project is being undertaken by a team that
includes structural engineers Halcrow Yolles, mechanical and electrical engineers MCW Consultants Ltd., LEED consultant
Enermodal Engineering and KOM Management Services Inc. The project, located at the college’s Fennell campus, is being fasttracked.
Key subtrade contracts have already been tendered. An excavation contract has been awarded to Terrasan Environmental.
The centre will face Fennell Avenue, giving the campus “a new front door, a new public face and an even higher profile in the city
and region. “One of the greenest buildings in our community will serve as a regional hotbed for innovation and entrepreneurship,”
says Mohawk College President Rob MacIsaac. “We’re creating new spaces where students, staff and college partners will
collaborate and create, foster a culture of innovation and ignite a spirit of entrepreneurism.” The centre is part of an overall 18month,
$30 million renewal project on the Fennell campus. Major renovations throughout Mohawk’s largest and oldest campus will
result in new, expanded and improved services, including a one-stop centre for student services in the current library and a main
street running north-south through the heart of the campus. The Fennell campus renewal project is supported in part by $20 million
in infrastructure funding from the Ontario government. Last September, Mohawk completed a $27 million transformation of the
Stoney Creek campus into the Mohawk Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Research, Resources and Training Institute. Mohawk is
also exploring potential opportunities for a new campus in downtown Brantford. (http://www.dcnonl.com)
Mohawk College contracted Zeidler Partnership to lead
Belleville Public Library and John M. Parrott Art Galleries , Belleville, ON – Canada 2006
Project Cost: & 8.000.000, Main Building Area: 38.000 sqft., Library: 30.000 sqft., Galleries/Meeting Spaces: 8.000 sqft.
Awards:
2009 design excellence award Ontario Association of Architects
The new 38.000 sqft. Belleville Public Library provides resources for research and recreation as well as acultural and community
destination. The view to the City Hall tower, adjacency to the Pinnacle Theater and the previous Corby library, connects the new
library to past history and the future. The new cultural precinct will act as a catalyst for growth and renewal.
The design articulates the library in two distinct masses; the rectangular mass is anchored to the west; the circular element faces
both Campbell and Pinnacle Streets. The rectangular element houses the library stacks, lounges and study spaces, the circular is
more public in nature including entrance, giftshop and street café. The third floor gallery is easily seen from the main three-storey
entrance rotunda. This hall greets patrons as a civic space, connecting building activities vertically.
The rectangular building´s exterior is enveloped with a quilt made up of beige and reddish brown squares of precast concrete
inspired by pattern paintings and quilts. Within the site context, the notion of the quilt allows inclusion of a variety of colours and
textures,now easily achieved with pre-cast technologies.
A large plaza frames the circular building, welcoming people from Campbell and pinnacle Streets. A courtyard nestled between the
library and the Pinnacle Playhouse may be used for special events. Visible from within, these public spaces have added greatly to the
animation of the urban site. (Zeidler)
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