Library Buildings around the World

This project´s first phase involved a master plan to transform McGill´s most historic library into a new type of academic library
geared towards a new Internet generation. The second phase was to execute a 10.000 sqf. portion of that plan on the campus level of
the library. Features include glassed-in group study pods, banquettes, quiet tables with or without computers for individual study,
an e-classroom for infirmation skills classes and programs, assignment production area, central information point called the genius
bar, and casual study areas with bright, comfortable lounges. B+H worked in association with ékm architecture on the design. (B+H)
Nordic International Management Institute, Chengdu (Sichuan) – China under construction
Client: Chengdu Beixin Knowledge City Real Estate Co. Ltd., Size: 25,115sm
Designed and planned with the cooperation of the EU, this low density facility in Chengdu is an international
business-education school to train business professionals who want to work in the international market. Strong
sustainability principles are implemented across a wide range of landscape and architectural programs.
The grand central courtyard is a public open space that anchors the entire site and is used for a variety of activities.
The Institute includes administration buildings, teaching buildings, multi-media centre, collaboration college,
serviced student apartments, sports centre and supporting retail facilities.
Bing Thom Architects, Vancouver, BC – Canada
http://bingthomarchitects.com
Libraries:
Surrey Public Library, City Centre Library, City of Surrey, BC – Canada 2011
80.000 sqf., CAD 33.000.000
If we want a stronger Canada as well as stronger provinces, then our cities have to be stronger, too. That's the way Surrey Mayor
Dianne Watts sees it, even though our cities receive only about eight cents out of every tax dollar Canadians pay. And from those few
pennies, cities must fund a multitude of service costs, including big-ticket items such as police and fire protection. The fiscal
imbalance continues to tilt away from equilibrium as both senior governments continue offloading their responsibilities on to the
most junior and least-powerful governance partner. So it's all the more remarkable that Surrey is proceeding with its ambitious
Civic Centre Development Project, which will provide B.C.'s fastest-growing metropolis with a new city centre to serve as the South
of Fraser region's central business district. It will include a new city hall and large civic plaza next to an expanded Simon Fraser
University. There'll be new office towers, a performing arts centre and a new main library. There'll be upgrades to King George
Highway and the nearby Skytrain system, plus a new bus exchange. All this is about to happen adjacent to the existing one-millionsquare-foot,
25-storey Central City office tower and nearby Surrey Recreation Centre between 102nd and 104th avenues.
The first phase will be construction of the the Surrey Central Library. Council on Monday saw new design sketches of this $30million
library by local award-winning architect Bing Thom. In an interview Wednesday, Watts described the designs as "stunning."
But the 65,000-square-foot library is under the gun time-wise, Watts explains, because it's a jointly funded project under Ottawa's
fiscal-stimulation program and must be completed by March 31, 2011. "The three levels of government are contributing $10 million
each and now the next phase is to put the library out to tender," the mayor says. Next on the agenda is relocating the existing
134,000-square-foot city hall at 14245 56th Ave. into a new city hall/office tower complex at the new city centre. "We've simply
outgrown the existing city hall's space," the mayor says. "We need at least 150,000 square feet in a new city hall, plus room to grow."
But Watts acknowledges that the new city hall, which is now in the design phase, will be far more than bricks and mortar to house
city staff and council. "The city has to take the lead here," she says. "If we expect the private sector to invest in our downtown core,
then the city has to invest in the core as well." The existing city hall will be either leased or sold to help fund the new premises, which
will be developed as a city hall and office tower in conjunction with the private sector, Watts says. The Civic Centre Development
Project's final component will be a performing arts centre that will contain a 1,600-seat theatre and a 250-seat studio theatre.
Watts also says she's confident that the total project can be completed within several years--without serious impact on Surrey's tax
levels, which are the currently the lowest within Metro Vancouver.
blewis@theprovince.com, © Copyright (c) The Province
80.000 sqf., CAD 33.000.000
Surrey Public Library Board: Vision Statement for the City Centre Library:
Surrey’s new City Centre Library will be a unique state-of-the art environmentally friendly landmark that provides access to the
broadest range of information, learning opportunities, and diverse cultural experiences. The new City Centre Library will be:
•The centrepiece for Surrey’s City Centre; adorned in architectural excellence for the 21st century, the library will contribute to the
vitality of the City and put Surrey in a class with other great cities.
•A foundation for the City’s future success by boosting economic and cultural activity and attracting visitors from all parts of the
country.
•A source of pride and a great public space, where the community gathers to celebrate, reflect, connect and share information,
knowledge, and culture.
•A trusted centre that inspires learning and knowledge exchange, empowers people and encourages open dialogue.
(Adopted by Surrey Public Library Board September 27, 2007)
Scheduled to open Summer 2011, this new library designed by Bing Thom Architects, as the first piece of a new development, will be
a critical anchor that will set the stage for the future development and transformation of downtown Surrey.
It marks the beginning of a major civic investment in the area that will continue the transformation of downtown Surrey that began
with BTA’s Central City project, completed in 2004. This new civic development will ultimately include a new city hall, large urban
plaza, underground civic parkade, performing arts centre, and additional commercial space. All of these uses will be arranged
adjacent to one of the most intensively used transit hubs in Metro Vancouver. “We are thrilled to again be contributing to the future
of downtown Surrey,” stated Bing Thom. “This is a great opportunity to create something exciting for the future that will attract a
wide variety of people to the downtown.” Creating dynamic environments that look to the future of Surrey is nothing new to BTA.
Nearly a decade ago, the firm designed the incredibly vibrant Central City, which sits down the street from the new Surrey Library.
The architectural and social innovation evident at Central City—a fusion of office space, a shopping center and a university—is
further exemplified in BTA’s library design. Like Central City, the library encourages the gathering of diverse groups of people
from the surrounding community. Its design features large windows, a welcoming entrance and central atrium with clear sight lines
that allow visitors to quickly orient themselves in the space. The form of the building is inspired by the curvature of the adjacent
University Boulevard with an added dynamism provided by their outward slope. Designed to LEED standards, the outward sloped
walls also provide solar shading. BTA understands that the role of the library is changing and that the book collection is no longer
the central focus. With advances in easily available electronic information and inter library loans, providing the appropriate spaces
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