Library Buildings around the World

to-date technology in this 134,200 square-foot renovation of existing space and 12,800 square-foot addition. Restoring the original
north entry hall and adding a second south entrance created a clear north/south axis through the building. An open central atrium
exposes the original south facade, bringing natural light into the heart of the library and providing a central study/circulation area.
The atrium allows clear circulation and organization throughout the library. A "main street" spans one end of the facility to the
other and is easily recognized from the atrium. Offices located in the south addition free the rest of the library for open reading and
stacks. The original trim and detailing in the 1948 building was restored and contemporary interiors were specified for the 1968
building and the addition. A consistent pallet of interior finishes maintains continuity among the existing and new structures. The
design promotes access to technology at nearly every seat. (Architectureal record)
Loras College, Academic Resource Center, Dubuque IA – USA 2002
The 94,000-s.f. Academic Resource Center (ARC) encompasses the campus library, tutorial center, a museum, cafe and a bookstore.
The ARC's siting offers panoramic views toward the Mississippi River, forms a new campus quadrangle, and connects to the Student
Center. Several informal gathering areas and 15 closed study areas for groups up to eight surround an ornamental cascading
staircase that connects all four floors. (Holabird)
Northwestern University, Galter Health Science Library, Renovation, Evanston IL – USA 1996
The renovation and expansion of the medical library provided a new facility to address the needs of information management. The
57,000-s.f. project included the renovation of a historic reading room, offices, group study rooms, a special collections room, a
Learning Resource Center, and a new monumental stair hall to connect the various spaces. (Holabird)
A renovation and expansion project at the Galter Health Sciences Library of Northwestern University strikes a balance between
traditional and future libraries, library ambiance and high technology, old and new. When guided by a vision of future building use,
renovation projects can succeed in meeting many institutional goals as a viable alternative to new library buildings. Issues addressed
include planning considerations, architectural history, library design, building features, information technology considerations, and
ideal library space design when new construction is not possible. ( http://ww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov )
Steven Holl Architects, New York, NY – USA
http://www.stevenholl.com
Libraries:
Queens library, Hunter Point, New York NY – USA 2010 - 2015
PROGRAM: Library with adult reading collection, children's area, teen area, cybercenter, conference room and outdoor
amphitheater, CLIENT: New York City Department of Design and Construction / Queens Library, BUILDING AREA (SQUARE):
21,000 sf , STATUS: competition first prize
The prominent site on the East River, facing a magnificent view of Manhattan, inspired the design, which cuts the lines of the main
interior circulation route into the west façade. A "Manhattan view" stair rises up from the open arrival space, allowing the users a
great view toward the city, flanked perpendicularly by reading tables in ascending sections backed with bookcases. While users may
be on computers, the view from the entry is of books, and the view on the way up is of the East River and Manhattan. The program's
separation into children's area, teen area and adult area, can be read in the carved cuts of the east face of the building, one façade
opening for each area. Yet the programmatic divisions are fluid: not "this is that," as childhood can return. The building section of
the new library is open and flowing, while the plan is compact, allowing for the most energy-efficient design and the greatest amount
of public space on the site. Along the west is an elongated reflecting pond of recycled water, which is edged in the natural grasses that
once grew at the bank of the East River. Frogs, turtles, and fish inhabit this year-round natural water strip. On the east entrance
side , the library together with a low park office pavilion forms a public reading garden with a bosque of ginko trees. Ascending the
stair inside one can reach the rooftop reading garden with amazing panoramic views. At night the glowing presence of the new
library along the waterfront joins the Pepsi sign and the "Long Island" sign at the old Gantry to become a beacon and inviting icon
for this new community place. The fabric-formed concrete structure is exposed and painted white inside, while exterior insulation
and a foamed aluminum rainskin give the exterior a subtle sparkle and glow, without being overly shiny. As the material is 100
percent recycled aluminum, this outer layer relates to all the green aspects in the new facility. (Holl)
New York will be recipient of another Steven Holl project – a new library at the Queens West Development at Hunter point.
Envisioned as a contemporary “urban forum”, the project will shape public space and create new connections across the Queens
West Development, Hunter Points South, and the existing neighborhood of Hunters Point. Steven Holl states, “we are very pleased
with the great commission for an addition to the growing community. We envision a building hovering and parous, open the the
public park. A luminous form of opportunity for knowledge, standing on its own refelction in the east river”. This new library will
also include community based spaces to encourage cultural growth, such as a muli-purpose meeting room fit for a variety of locally
based events and a gallery space. Holl will also incorporate s separate structure to lead users into Gantry Plaza State Park, filtering
people directly into the park. “Steven Holl Architects deliver dramatic architecture and innovative responses to complex client
programs, and has proven to be adept at creating iconic buildings that respond to their site, culture, and history. This will be Steven
Holl´s first public New York City commission, and we are looking forward to working with him on this exciting project,” said David
J. Burney, Commissioner of the Department of Design and Construction, which is managing the project. (http://www.archdaily.com)
School of Art & Art History, University of Iowa, Iowa City IA – USA 1999 – 2006
PROGRAM: Art and art history building, including facilities for sculpture, painting, printmaking, graduate studios, administrative
offices, gallery, and library, CLIENT: University of Iowa, SIZE: 70,000 sf, CONSTRUCTION COST: $16,100,000, STATUS:
completed
The new School of Art and Art History is a hybrid instrument of open edges and open center; instead of an object, the building is a
"formless" instrument. Implied rather than actual volumes are outlined in the disposition of spaces. Flat or curved planes are slotted
together or assembled with hinged sections. Flexible spaces open out from studios in warm weather. The main horizontal passages
are meeting places with interior glass walls that reveal work-in-progress. The interplay of light is controlled through shading created
by the overlapping planar exterior. Exposed tension rods of the partial bridge section contribute to the linear and planar
architecture. Interior floors are framed in exposed steel and concrete planks, with integrated air and services distribution in the core
voids. The resulting architecture is a hybrid vision of the future, combining bridge and loft spaces, theory with practice and human
requirements with scientific principles. (Holl)
Pratt Institute, Higging Hall Insertion, Brooklyn NY – USA 1997 - 2005
PROGRAM: wing for an architecture school containing: lobby, gallery, studios, auditorium, digital resource center, review room,
gallery terrace, workshops, CLIENT: Pratt Institute, SIZE: 22,500 sf, STATUS: completed
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