Library Buildings around the World

Line, an urban park situated on an obsolete elevated railway stretching 1.5 miles long through New York City; the expansion of the
School of American Ballet; the Institute of Contemporary Art on Boston’s waterfront; the Creative Arts Center currently under
construction at Brown University; and the Museum of Image & Sound currently in design on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil. Diller Scofidio + Renfro is currently collaborating with the Australian Dance Theatre on Be Your Self, a dance production
for the Adelaide Festival of Arts in Australia. (http://www.abitare.it)
DLR Group (Dana Larson Roubal Associates), Omaha, NE (u.a.) – USA
http://www.dlrgroup.com
Libraries:
Udvar-Hazy Library and Learning Center, Chris & Stephan Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University,
Prescott, AZ – USA 2008
32.572 sqf., € 7.661.402
With about 1,650 students, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is the only accredited aviation university in the world. This new
32,500-square-foot Library and Learning Center is the first project in the university’s updated master plan. The design concept for
the Udvar-Hazy library uses flight as a metaphor. The building is composed of metal and glass, and seems to above the ground. The
building’s main entry is defined by an internally illuminated staircase that evokes the technological underpinnings of aeronautical
education. The ascending staircase evokes flight, lifting students from the classrooms on the first floor to the resource center and
commons on the second floor. The second level cantilevers in two directions; coupled with extensive glass, the space encourages
informal learning surrounded by limitless views of the horizon. (http://schooldesigns.com)
Century College, Science and Library Building, White Bear Lake, MN – USA 2008
73.930 sqf., € 17.397.521
The new mantra for Century College is “learning-centered community,” and the Science and Library Building embodies this
mission. The first new campus structure in 17 years, the Science and Library Building was designed to be a hub for academic and
community engagement. Built-in window seats, a fireplace, coffee shop and alumni hall combine to create a relaxed and
Libraries/Media Centersenvironment for students and faculty to lounge, study or quietly socialize. The Science and Library Building
was situated strategically at the end of a skybridge that joins the East and West campuses. The result is increased foot traffic
through social learning areas that encourage student, faculty and staff interaction. Housing 5,000 lineal feet of bookshelves, nine
science labs and five science classrooms, the new building combines the West and East Campus libraries, and consolidates science
instructional areas into one central location. The building is built to exceed state energy-efficiency standards by 30 percent and
features a glass southern elevation that electronically shades to reduce the need for air conditioning in the summer.
(http://schooldesigns.com)
Brokaw Early Learning Center, Oswego Community Schools, Oswego, IL – USA 2007
39.800 sqf., € 9.075.082
Brokaw Early Learning Center is designed to meet the needs of young children, many with learning or physical disabilities. The
facility features four small houses that pinwheel around a central core of shared facilities. Each house consists of five classrooms
surrounding a light-filled living room, serving as the hub of the instructional program. From Portfoliostudent’s perspective, this
reduces the scale of the school to just five classrooms and a living room. In-floor and ceiling heat provides thermal comfort in
response to the activities on the classroom floor. The many attributes of the school give students a place where they, during the most
critical development period of their lives, can learn how to learn—a trait necessary for life. Undulating gable roofs allow natural
light to penetrate 100 percent of all classrooms and more than 85 percent of the total building area. Additional windows are raised
just off the floor so students of all abilities can connect with the outdoors. A child-friendly scale throughout the facility is created
with horizontal lines through color, materials and texture. (http://schooldesigns.com)
Elk River Library, Elk River, Minnesota - USA 2007
The LEED Gold Elk River Library is a component of the new Elk River Civic Complex, adjacent to an existing city hall and public
safety building. The library embraces sustainable design features including extensive daylighting controls, geothermal
heating/cooling system, displacement ventilation, and adjacent water gardens.
The open floor plan allows for efficient library staffing. Special areas are designed with specific user groups in mind, including an
enhanced children’s area, a teen area, a reading room, quiet study rooms, and central fireplace. A large multi-purpose room is
available for various public events and meetings. The library is placed on its site to maximize views of Orono Lake and is sustainably
designed to allow for future expansion of double the existing 16,600 square footage. (DLR)
Chisago Lakes Area LKibrary, Chisago, Minnesota – USA 2005
This 12,000 SF library is a collaboration between four cities and three townships. The library is designed with state-of-the-art
technology and every library amenity.
The single level building is fully accessible to all users and staff. Large windows provide picturesque views of two nearby lakes. A
large multi-purpose room provides meeting space that can be used by community groups outside of normal library hours. Pedestrian
accesses, bike racks, ample parking and a bus drop make the library accessible to all.
Chisago Lakes Area Library has an open floor plan. Durable, low maintenance materials were selected for both the interior and
exterior. The overall design allows for future expansion. (DLR)
Durrant, Dubuque, IA – USA
http://www.durrant.com
Libraries :
Edith Abbott Memorial Library ( expanded and renovated), Grand Island, NE – USA 2007
Durrant provided architectural design, interior design, furnishings, and information systems engineering for this design-build
project. Teamed with local architect Cannon Moss Brigger Associates and Mid-Plains Construction Company, this project includes a
25,000 SF addition as well as remodeling the existing 25,000 SF. The program for the library includes public meeting rooms with
seating for 160 people, a large children's/family place designed to provide library materials and programs for children, young adult
services including a homework center and computer stations, a local history/multicultural center, and a growing audio/visual
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