Library Buildings around the World

Project description
The $108.7 million renovation of the Thompson Library lasted from 2006 to 2009, though planning the renovation took eleven years.
Many changes were made to the original building in the renovation. The changes were meant to bring light to the library, harmonize
the various additions into one building, and to update the various technological and mechanical systems of the building.
Two glass atria with skylights were constructed to allow natural light to enter the building; the west atrium is five floors, the east
atrium is four floors. The east atrium contains a ‘flying’ staircase, unattached from walls, that allows for greater movement within
the library (the previous staircases had been on the edge of the library). The walls of the tower facing the atriums were replaced with
suspended structural glazing, a technique used to give the appearance of a wall of glass. This opens the stacks to the atriums and
allows for more daylight to
View of the tower from the east atrium of Thompson Library. Obtained from Wikimedia Commons. Author: Ibagli
enter the building. An additional floor was added to the ten-story tower; the eleventh floor is an open study space with comfy chairs
for reading and large windows, providing library users with a picturesque view of the campus. The Reference Reading Room was
remodeled back to its original design of 1913; to do this, the floor that had been constructed in 1966.
The renovated library has seating for 1,800 individuals, as well as 200 computers, and wireless internet. More group study space, a
terrace garden, and a café were also added in the renovation. Motorized window shades that are automatically timed to move
depending on the time of day and position of the sun were included to reduce energy consumption. Additional green facets were
added during the renovation, including the use of recycled material, energy efficient lighting and HVAC system.
Architect
Graham Gund, of Gund Partnership, was the design architect for the Thompson Library renovation. Acock Associates is the
Architect of Record. Acock Associates in based out of Columbus, Ohio. Construction managers Turner Construction and Smoot
Construction teamed together to coordinate construction. MSI Design was hired as landscape architect. Heapy Mechanical-
Electrical Design Services was also contracted and either replaced or upgraded the mechanical and electrical systems for the
library's renovation.
Funding
Fundraising for the renovation lasted multiple years. The cost of the renovation was $108.7 million. The majority of the funding
came through the state ($70 million). $30 million was raised through donations, $9 million of that was from the OSU Athletic
department. The remainder ($8.7 million) was contributed from funds the university had set aside for projects.
(http://libraryarchitecture/wikispace.com)
adw architects P.A., Charlotte, NC – USA
http://www.adwarchitects.com
Libraries:
Polk County Library, Columbus, NC – USA 2006
Awards:
2006 1st place winner in North Carolina Public Library Directors Association , Small Building Category
AECOM, Los Angeles, CA – USA
http://www.aecom.com
Libraries:
William H. Hannon Library, Loyola Marymount University (LMU), Los Angeles, CA - USA 2009
Located on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and occupying a site between the old and new campuses of Loyola Marymount
University, the William H. Hannon Library has become a new landmark for LMU and a central gathering place for students. The
120,000 square foot, three-story building (with full basement) was designed to tie together the campus and provide visual order to
the disparate elements of the nearby buildings. The William H. Hannon Library represents a new paradigm in the delivery of
information services to students, offering the most advanced technologies of today’s digital libraries, combined with the materials
and services of traditional libraries. The basement is designed to support high density storage that allows the accommodation of over
one million volumes. This efficient use of space allows for 580 individual reading stations and over 30 collaborative study rooms in
the floors above, as well as a computer lab, café and other special spaces designated for music and video materials. (AECOM)
Sharjah Library, Sharjah – Emirate of Sharjah on design
On the same site as the prestigious Sharjah Archives a central library is currently being designed and will be built under
AECOM supervision. The architecture is inspired by the magnificent reading dome of the British Museum. The total
building area is approximately 20,000 m2 and construction was completed on budget at US$ 20 million. (AECOM)
Aedas Group, Aedis Architecture & Planning, San José, CA – USA
http://www.aedisgroup.com
Libraries:
Hillview Branch Library, San José, CA – USA 2007
Awards:
AIA Santa Clara Valley Design Awards, Award of Honor 2008
Since its opening, the new Hillview Branch Library has become an instant neighborhood landmark as well as an important asset to
this area of San Jose, a highly diverse community in multiple aspects: culture, ethnicity and age groups. The project replaces a much
smaller, aging and functionally obsolete facility located a few blocks away. A unique partnership between two public agencies, the
city and the school district, allows the new structure to be built on a portion of an existing public school. The library provides greatly
enriched resources to the students of its host school as well as to help steer these youths toward productive after-school activities.
As part of a citywide library improvement program, the library shares the common goal of being friendly to its surroundings, yet
commanding a strong civic presence. An additional goal for this project is to distinguish the structure visually from its host school.
The exterior of the building is animated by highly varied massing and a rich palette of colors. Flanking stone walls supporting a
curved canopy announce the library’s main entrance, while a cylindrical rotunda in the background signals the building’s focal
point on the inside. Interior activities are visible through the glazed entrance wall, providing for a connection between the inside and
outside. To the right of the entrance, the separate community room is identified by a curving glass block wall with a barrel metal
roof above. The building’s interiors aim to create a very comfortable atmosphere, not unlike that of large, trendy, commercial
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