Library Buildings around the World

draws air from the open floors below into the air handlers on the penthouse floor, minimizing return-air ductwork. Studio-based
learning environments and a mix of classrooms open onto the atria with these multi-function areas. Intercommunicating stairs
alternate across the interlocked atria. Two-story elevator lobbies alternate through the academic floors, encouraging pedestrian
activity and providing opportunities for formal and informal encounters among students and faculty – a crucial element in
establishing a campus-like feel. The large expanses of glass on the east and west sides of the spaces flood them with daylight, provide
great views of the city, and energize an environment that is well connected to its surroundings. The first floor of the Academic
Center houses the main public lobby, Admissions Center, and Reading Room. The double height of the Reading Room firmly claims
the corner of 4th and Market for the University, declaring it as a special place of scholarly pursuits and setting the stage for the
neighborhood’s potential future as Harrisburg’s intellectual center. It’s also an area for public receptions and events. Outside the
Reading Room, the second floor study and stack areas overlook the first floor’s public areas, extending the dialogue between private
University and the public still further. The design of the lower floors incorporates public access to the neighboring Strawberry
Square galleria. The connection enables the University to leverage existing galleria functions such as a food court, credit union,
performance spaces, and other businesses for students and faculty, while drawing the galleria into the heart of the University. This is
also where the public is given convenient access to the parking garage. And it’s here, in this most publicly shared campus area, that
Burt Hill developed an environmental graphics and signage program to both direct and instruct students and the public, alike, in the
University’s presence and its purpose. (Burt.Hill)
Carnegie Library of Pittsburg. Downtown Branch, Pittsburgh, PA – USA 2004 – 2005
12.000 sqf.
The state-of-the-art, public library facility provides a vibrant, comfortable, accessible, and organized atmosphere for patrons. A bilevel
space includes the library's business collection, fiction and non-fiction volumes, public internet stations, study seating areas,
and a meeting room. The Foundation Center, which provides resources for grant research, is located on the lower level. The design
concept focuses on the users' tasks, with a dynamic spine of resources including study areas, internet stations, a reference desk, and
electronic self-checkout. The facade is designed to act as a billboard for oversized "super graphic" signage, in addition to creating a
cohesive connection with the existing metal panel facade. (Burt.Hill)
Advanced Technology and Learning Center, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College,
Cincinnati, OH – USA 2004
216.000 sqf., € 55.000.000
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College was seeking a new center to focus on information technology and culinary arts,
as well as provide a student life hub. Burt Hill, in association with SFA Architects, designed a sustainable Advanced Technology and
Learning Center that spans over 215,000 square feet. The center houses student lounges, offices, classrooms, audio/visual production
facilities, a presentation center, and culinary arts facilities. Additionally, a 747-car parking structure is attached to the building.
The sustainable design includes heat recovery, heat-efficiency lighting, and daylighting. The creative design of the Advanced
Technology and Learning Center helped to create a unique identity for the campus. Through innovative design and sustainable
elements, the Cincinnati State Technical and Community College will continue to develop and appeal to students. (Burt.Hill)
bws (Burns Wald-Hopkins Shambach) Architects, Tucson, AZ – USA
http://www.bwsarchitects.com
The Tucson firm of BWS Architects has been ranked one of the top 10 firms in the U.S. by Architect magazine, a
national publication that serves the architectural design community. At number seven in the ARCHITECT 50,
BWS Architects is grouped with some of the best known firms in the country – Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
(2), Perkins & Will (5), NBBJ (19) and Zimmer Gunsul Frasca (45).
Reporter Amanda Kolson Hurley wrote: “Under-the-radar BWS has extensive experience in library and school
Design, Its Applied Research and Development Building at Northern Arizona University received LEED
Platinium certification.”
In creating this new ranking, the magazine looked beyond firm size as a measure of success, because “size is just
one, not-terribly-revealing measure of an architecture firm. “Hurley goes on “We designed the ARCHITECT 50
quite simply to promote a more well-rounded definition of success. The criteria for inclusion comprise a trifecta
of critical goals for every practice: profitability, sustainability, and design qualilty.”
Libraries:
Flowing Wells Library, Flowing Wells, AZ – USA 2008
Located near the new Flowing Wells Community Center, this new library completes the master plan for cultural
and recreational facilities in this historically underserved neighborhood on the northwest side of Tuscon. This small
branch library is designed to triple in size as funds become available, so a major challenge on this project was to
establish a fuctional facility, easily expanded, on a very limited budget. We explored numerous options for building
systems and emerged with a simple and contemporary expression in metal panels, creating a strong architectural
presence in a small package. (BWS)
Martha Cooper Branch Library and Learning Center, Tucson, AZ – 2006
The Martha Cooper Branch Library and Learning Center, located on Midtown Tucson, is an new prototype for
small neighborhood-centered libraries. Smaller than a typycal branch library for the Tucson-Pima Public Library
system, this non-traditional 7, 700 square feet facility is designed to provide meeting spaces, computers, and
library materials that are heavily focused on the needs of children. Although the site is only 1,5 acres on size, the
design concept allows for future expansion thst will almost double the building in size. (BWS)
Oro Valley Public Library, Town of Oro Valley, AZ – 2002
Responding to the Town’s design guidelines, the library incorporates stone, stucco, copper and glass in a contemporary expression
that fits comfortably into the fabric of the community. The 25,000 square foot library provides magnificent mountain views, and
enjoys natural daylighting with clerestories throughout the stacks and reading areas. The Friends of the Library operate a book
sales area where they provide comfortable seating and sell coffee. The library also features a children’s library and a well equipped
teen zone. (BWS)
Sierra Vista Public Library, Sierra Vista, AZ – 1999
The mountainous geology of Cochise County inspired the steeply sloped copper roofs and striated concrete walls of the Sierra Vista
Public Library. The projecting walls and roofs protect the south and southwest facing windows from direct sun, and yet allow the
building to open up to the beautiful gardens and mountain views. With a mechanical system that employs evaporative cooling and
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