Library Buildings around the World

light and views to the outside, and are accessible from the Library/Gallery to support the vibrant future of the institution. Simple
and sustainable design strategies were implemented within a landlord’s build-out limited budget, yet promoted a clear identity by
also integrating in the space a small but focused amount of custom furniture.
PS1 Bergen School Library, Robin Hood Foundation, New York, Brooklyn NY – USA 2004
Awards:
Citation Award 2005
The PS1 Bergen School Library is part of the Robin Hood Foundation Library Initiative, a program whose long term mission is to
have all NYC children reading at grade level or above. MPA was part of a small group of architectural firms selected to design one
of the libraries, each of which must accommodate 10,000 new books, an instructional area with tables and seating for thirty-two
second to fifth graders and a reading aloud space for 30 younger children. MPA’s design creates an integral assembly of custom
designed work tables, a “stage” for the younger children, and a frieze of children’s drawings. Elements of the new library extend
outward into the corridor and stairwell to construct a strong identity within the overall space of the school. ($ 428 000) (Marüillero)
( http://www.designshare.com http://www.schooldesigner.com )
A.C. Martin Partners, Inc., Los Angeles – USA
http://www.acmartin.com
Libraries:
Henry Madden Library, California State University, Fresno, CA – USA 2008
Partners: RMJM (UK)
325.300 sqf., € 78.800.000
This project renovated an existing 85,000-square-foot structure and added 240,300 square feet to it, creating a five-level structure
with a transparent north facade that brings light into the library while offering users a view of the neighboring Peace Garden. The
building’s internal circulation is organized around a series of stairs and landings, with the main stair traversing the entire northern
wall and guiding visitors through the heart of the library. Other features include a café on the second level and a rooftop terrace
adjacent to university's administrative offices. A variety of seating areas include built-in seating on the library’s grand staircase and
comfortable places that are tucked away so patrons can retreat to read or study. (http://chronicle.com)
In the course of the renovations to the California State University library in Fresno, ag4 media facade GmbH in collaboration with
A2aMEDIA Inc. and GKD USA have realized a 50 m2 media facade made of Mediamesh®, a product developed by ag4 and GKD
Düren. Mounted behind a glass wall, the media facade is part of an artistic installation set up throughout the entire university
building. Not only the media facade is integrated into the mediatectonic overall concept, but also its content. The media facade
displays an installation that runs day and night, depicting in real time the traditional basket weaving process by a Native American
Indian woman. Fresno’s new Henry Madden Library was built by AC Martin Partners and includes a video installation by the artist
and architect Susan Narduli. The installation shows a basket weaver at work. Susan Narduli filmed the basket weaver during the
course of 12 months. From this material, an installation was created that shows the complete process of creating a basket from start
to finish in real time running over a two-week period, making this undoubtedly one of the longest art films ever made. The
installation is displayed through Mediamesh®, a transparent stainless-steel wire mesh panel with embedded high-luminosity LED
profiles. This innovative technology makes it possible to medialize the entire surface of large facades, displaying brilliant image
quality both by day and by night. Be it for high-resolution images, videos or live broadcasts: the configuration of Mediamesh® is
determined by the planned application, the location of the structure, and the image resolution, and is based on the specifications of
the project and the customer. The quality of the images is determined by the viewing distance and by the interplay between the
horizontal and vertical distances between the pixels. The denser the alignment of the pixels, the higher the resolution and the more
detailed the image display is. For the installation in Fresno, a distance of 6 centimeters both horizontally and vertically was selected,
guaranteeing a high transparency of the system. Minimal power consumption, long life span and durability, weather and
temperature resistance covering a range of -20° C to +70° C as well as the ability to easily exchange the profiles or the control
elements when needed further demonstrate the innovation of the overall concept. “One of the reasons we chose the co-operation is
because its technology is above and beyond what is available in the marketplace today. Of all the companies our team looked into, it
was the only one that could apply futuristic technology to bring a historic tradition to life in a genuine and realistic format”, said
Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Vice President of Administration at California State University in Fresno. “Our goal for the Henry
Madden Library expansion project was to blend the ancient Native American heritage of the Central Valley of California into the
state-of-the-art facility.” The 50m2 large media facade will be mounted in the interior of the building behind a large glass facade
with its brilliance radiating outwards onto the planned “Peace Garden”. Students and visitors walking past the garden or the library
will thus be able to view the basket creation process. This is a significant aspect of the installation. Dr John D. Welty, President of the
University, explains, “As we move into the future, it is very important that we never lose sight of the past. The contributions, wisdom
and connection to the land of the entire Native American community in our region need to be cherished, recorded and passed on to
future generations. This technology allows us to do that.” The team, consisting of ag4, GKD, A2aMEDIA and Susan Narduli, have
created an installation that successfully demonstrates how the past and the future can be woven together in an interesting way,
thereby creating new and enlightening associations. (http://www.medienfassade.com)
Martinez + Johnson Architecture, Washington DC – USA
http://www.mjarchitecture.com
Libraries:
Georgetown Library, Washington DC – USA 2010
The design objectives for the Georgetown Library were to provide a state-of-the-art library facility that would meet the program
needs of the twenty first century user. Set within the historic Georgetown community, this 80 year-old building suffered greatly
when a fire tore through the structure in early 2007 damaging much of the original oak woodwork and historic elements.
M+J worked very carefully to restore the significant architectural details of the building and provide a setting for new activities. To
achieve some of these objectives M+J sought to reintroduce the original reading terrace that once sat on the south side facing historic
Book Hill Park. While maintaining minimum impact to the historic fabric, this allowed for the expansion of the building -
accommodating the library program and allowing for a new public meeting room. Additionally, the generous height of the original
roof provided the opportunity to add a third level that now houses the Peabody reading room and historic collection. The third level
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