Library Buildings around the World

Tanimura and Antle Family Memorial Library, California State University, Monterey Bay, Monterey, CA
– USA 2009
150.000 sqf., $ 54.000.000
This new campus centerpiece will be at the hub of academic activities and anchor the campus quadrangle. The program includes
book stacks, 1,600 study nooks, 350 computer stations, a 24-hour computer/study room, a 200-seat auditorium, a 100-seat classroom,
five small classrooms, 24 collaborative study rooms, offices, and a ground floor café. The library will also serve the community as a
public library. The open 2,200 square foot reading room with adjoining catering kitchen and balcony can be used for community
and campus events, special lectures, and exhibitions. Our energy analysis influenced design of the building envelope and glazing
systems for optimum energy-efficiency. Mechanical systems feature an underfloor air distribution system throughout, as well as an
energy efficient central plant providing the building with its own chilled water utilizing a high-efficiency VFD chiller. Our design
exceeds California’s 2001 energy code by 30%. LEED Registered, the building is designed to achieve a LEED Silver rating from the
U.S. Green Building Council, and is enrolled in PG&E’s Savings By Design program. (http://www.gb-eng.com)
San Mateo Public Library, San Mateo, CA - USA 2006
90.000 sqf.
Awards:
LEED Gold U.S.Green Building Council
2007 Green Building Award Sustainable San Mateo County
2006 Merit Award for Green Building California Construction “Best of 2006”
2006 Merit Award for Civic Building California Construction “Best of 2006”
The San Mateo Public Library’s design evolved out of an extensive public workshop process that solicited input from the community
about the building’s massing, the quality of interior and exterior spaces, and the community’s concern about noise levels. The
library’s design satisfies community desires while presenting a strong civic image and establishing a new landmark in downtown San
Mateo. As a resource center for literacy and lifelong learning, the library features 100 public internet terminals, expanded reading
and study areas for children and teens, and a sustainable, energy-efficient design. An airy two-story lobby, transparent to the street,
serves as a welcoming orientation hub. Entering patrons can see through to all levels of the building; an information booth
supplements any orientation needs. The building undulates inward to preserve an existing redwood grove, and a mezzanine level
opens to the grove with tall windows. On the second floor, a two-story central reading room further aids in ease of orientation and
brings daylight into the building’s center from high clerestory windows, offering a comfortable space to visitors. Lighting and
window shades are photocell activated for daylight control. Solar heat gain is controlled with sunshades and high performance
glazing. The three-story building has two levels of underground parking. The architects, EHDD Architecture, used the latest
technologies, including raised-access floors, a mechanized book storage system, electronic checkout, and wireless technology to
accommodate the patrons. The library embraced several energy, material, and water conservation strategies. It is the first of a new
generation of EHDD under-floor air projects and is full of interconnected multi-story spaces with natural ventilation and daylight.
The library has quickly become San Mateo's premier civic building and a well-liked public destination.
(http://archrecord.construction.com)
Merril-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan – USA 2006
Awards:
Merit Award Excellence in Interior Architecture /AIA San Francisco 2007
Honorable Mention IIDA Northern California Chapter
Library services at Utah State University are provided in the Merrill-Cazier Library, a newly constructed facility that combines
collections that were formerly housed in two buildings. Merrill-Cazier Library opened in September 2005 and houses materials in
the arts, humanities, social sciences, agriculture, life and physical sciences, medicine, and engineering. The new library building
(305,000 sq. ft.) was constructed from the existing Cazier Science and Technology Library, expanding the original building of
116,000 sq. ft. with an additional 189,000 sq. ft., thus replacing the 202,000 square feet of the Merrill Library building.
Despite having slightly less total space, several technological innovations make the new library a much more functional building. An
automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) has capacity for over 1.5 million new volumes, allowing for approximately 20 years
of collection growth. In keeping with the University’s land-grant mission the Library has named the automated storage and retrieval
system the BARN (Borrowers Automated Retrieval Network). Lesser-used books and all bound volumes of periodicals are stored
and retrieved on demand from the BARN. Library users may use the Library Online Catalog from their offices, homes, or any
computer with network access to request materials from the BARN. The materials are retrieved and made available at a service desk
in the library within minutes of the request.The new library makes extensive use of computer technology for staff and library users
as well. An Information Commons will offer over 150 workstations from which USU students and faculty will be able to use a wide
variety of productivity software, such as word processing, spreadsheets, digital image manipulation, and statistical packages.
Librarians and computer support staff work in tandem to provide technological training and research assistance to customers in the
Information Commons. The Merrill-Cazier Library provides extensive service hours during the day, and is accessible to the USU
community and the general public throughout the year (except during designated University closings). The new building has 305,000
total square feet, with a seating capacity of over 2,000. (http://library.usu.edu)
The new facility not only replaced the existing Merrill Library, but also integrated the existing 116,000 square foot Cazier Science
and Technology Library, resulting in all library functions being housed under one roof. The building includes an expansive
information commons, cyber cafe and an automated storage and retrieval system that can be used to store more than 1.4 million
books and journals. (http://www.jacobsonconstruction.com)
Christopher Center for Library and Information Resources, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN – USA
2004
Awards:
Merit Award for Architecture. AIA Colifornia Council 2008
Library Interior Design Honor Award 2006
International Interior Design Association / American Library Association 2006
Comprising 105,000 square feet (9,800 m2) of space, the building was designed by Esherick Homsey Dodge & Davis of Chicago,
which sought to "break the mold" of institutional libraries. Part of a $33 million project, the Christopher Center was made possible
through gifts from alumni and friends, including a $16 million gift from Jay Christopher and his wife Doris. Support of the
University's Three Goals, One Promise campaign made construction of the building possible. Among the major donors to the
building project are those whose gifts are recognized in special areas of the building. The grid-like structure flanking the south and
east sides of the building’s exterior provides an interesting appearance for the building while serving as a valuable sun screen. This
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