Library Buildings around the World

for evolving library activities is now the priority. These activities range from the traditional research and education roles to the need
for libraries to become a point of connection and even a gathering place in the community. As a result, the design includes a diverse
mixture of large interconnected “high” spaces with generous natural light and “low” more intimate spaces to accommodate the book
stacks and individual activities like studying and writing. In all cases, the spaces have been deliberately kept informal to make the
library feel like an extension of the patron’s living room. As Thom says, “The design evolves out of the need to provide a space for
reading, studying, and above all, gathering as a community. This building is very flexible and will accommodate all of these
purposes.” Surrey is the second largest and fasted growing city in British Columbia. In fact, the population is expected to outgrow
the originally proposed 65,000-square-foot library in a span of about five years. As a result, BTA encouraged the city to future-proof
the building by constructing 78,000 square feet now. The excess space will be rented out for educational and other complimentary
uses until the library can grow into it. Similarly, there is a full level being built underground, which can later be integrated into an
underground civic parkade, another strategy for future expansion and integration with the community. As BTA Principal Michael
Heeney states, “Surrey City Centre Library is the beginning of a whole new civic initiative that’s going to further establish the
downtown for this growing and important city.” (http://www.archdaily.com)
Woddbridge Library, Washington, DC – USA in progress (2015/16)
Client: DC Public Libray, Size: 22.500 sqft. , Budget: $ 13.000.000
Jaclyn Hersh, Woodbridge Librarys Redsign, Architech Newspaper 14.04.10
The ongoing redesign of Washington, D.C.’s Woodridge Library takes into account the rapidly evolving world of technology
that is changing how and what we read. Created by the design team of Bing Thom Architects and Wiencek + Associates, the
modern 22,500-square-foot library will stand apart from its 1958 single-story predecessor with its white walls and interior
curves surrounded by exterior angles. Similar to his previous collaborative design process for the Surrey City Centre
Library in British Columbia, Thom met with the Woodridge community while drafting this design, listening to them share
their visions, which could be reflected in a rear entrance that will open directly out onto the grassy Langdon Park. Other
elements further reinforce this indoor-outdoor relationship: an open multi-story floor plan, large windows providing an
abundance of natural light, and a rooftop deck. Thom’s design fosters a place for community interactions and gatherings of
different sorts and sizes, even after library hours, while still supporting traditional intimate spaces for reading and studying.
(http://www.archpaper.com)
This new neighbourhood library is conceived as an elegant treasure chest that orients library patrons towards the verdant
Langdon Park behint the site. A welcoming entrance opens into a central circulation area that is bathed in natural light. All
levels of the building are quite open with clear sightlines providing interesting internal views to complement the views out to
the park. The library is designed with a great deal of flexibility to support a wide range of activities. These activities range
from intimate reading spaces through to grander spaces that could be used to accommodate larger community assemblies.
(Bing)
Briere, Gilbert + Associes, Québec, QC – Canada
http://www.brieregilbert.com
Libraries:
Bibliothèque Montarville, Boucherville, QC - Canada 2009
Brière, Gilbert + associés, architectes en collaboration avec Denis St-Louis, architecte
Existing Area: 1,700 sqm, Extension Area: 1,470 sqm, Budget: $3.4 M
PROGRAMME SOMMAIRE Construite il y a plus de 25 ans, la bibliothèque de Boucherville doit s’agrandir et revoir ses
aménagements existants de manière à développer sa mission et ses services en lien avec les nouvelles tendances sociales, culturelles et
technologiques.
GRANDES ORIENTATIONS Dès nos premières appréciations du contexte existant de la bibliothèque municipale de Boucherville,
c’est notre compréhension du potentiel d’interrelation inexploité avec le boisé du Parc de la Rivière-aux-Pins qui a motivé notre
approche conceptuelle et son développement. C’est donc par une architecture décloisonnée et ouverte que nous croyons pouvoir
communiquer l’essence même d’un lieu dont la fonction essentielle est la découverte et l’ouverture sur la connaissance et le monde.
ÉNONCÉ DU PROJET Inspiré de la logique formelle du bâtiment existant, soit quatre carrés similaires qui tournent autour d’un
même centre, l’agrandissement suggère le glissement et le décloisonnement d’un de ces carrés vers le boisé existant. Ce glissement
engage ainsi de nouveaux liens ouverts entre le bâtiment et son environnement, redéfinit le cœur de la bibliothèque et assure l’unité
de l’ensemble, voire l’intégration de l’existant et du nouveau avec le boisé.
Dans ce sens, un grand volume de bois complètement ouvert sur la nature ainsi qu’une nouvelle promenade d’accueil, axe formel de
circulation extérieure traversant tout le site, sont les deux principaux éléments qui structurent le paysage et clarifient
l’appropriation des lieux.
Positionné entre l’existant et le nouveau, le nouveau hall, son comptoir de prêt et son atrium organise les espaces intérieurs et permet
de distinguer clairement et rapidement les principaux secteurs de la bibliothèque, dont les trois collections générales (jeunesse,
adolescents et adultes) situées sur chacun des trois étages de l’agrandissement. (Briere)
The Montarville – Boucher la Bruère Public Library is located in the downtown core of Boucherville, a town of 40,000 situated on
the banks of the St. Lawrence River just east of the Island of Montreal. Built more than 25 years ago, the municipal library needs to
expand and reconfigure its existing facilities so that it can better pursue its mission and provide services in accordance with new and
emerging social, cultural and technological trends.
This project, which was the award winner in a 2007 architectural competition, consists of a three-storey expansion (1,470 square
metres) plus an indoor renovation and refit of the existing structure (1,700 square metres). It includes an atrium, a new entrance
hall, a new library promenade, a new loans counter and a complete reorganization of all the library collections.
floor plans
After an initial assessment of the library’s current context, it was the untapped potential for a visceral connection to the wooded area
in the adjoining Rivière aux Pins Park that was the stimulus for our conceptual approach and further development of that idea.
In contrast to the existing building, whose introverted geometry suggests only the slightest relationship with its immediate social and
natural environment, our approach adopts an open, barrier-free design that we believe will convey the very essence of a centre
whose essential function is discovery, as well as openness to knowledge and to the world.
An expansion that is simple, open and effective, to the benefit of all library patrons. Given the opportunity to emphasize and
highlight the adjacent woods, the library expansion project offers, in terms of its implementation, its architecture and its three storey
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