Library Buildings around the World

the extension of these functions into the line transforming it into a new entity. The businessperson going to work can begin
working on the subway, making phone calls, responding to email and writing reports as if already in the office. We where
charged with designing a center for new media art within an existing 500 square meter passage way in the Chungmu-ro
subway station in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The choice of the subway passage as a center for art is a manifestation of the
overlap of multiple functions into spaces that where previously mono-functional. The operation of the subway station
demands that the passageway be maintained at all times. The spaces in the media center are open to the public but secured
after hours. We had to maintain the passageway while simultaneously creating a destination. Exploiting the linear quality of
the existing corridor, we created a kaleidoscopic space. The kaleidoscope offers a model of a physically limited space that
simultaneously creates a changing, perpendicular, deep space through movement and reflection. The experience of depth and
amplitude allows both the idea of passage (travel) and destination (arrival) to exist simultaneously. The compositional
elements in a kaleidoscope move to create different mirrored patterns. In our project the occupant provides the movement;
elements reconfigure themselves in relation the viewer’s movement creating a multi-direction, boundless and dynamic
interactive experience. The entire space is a mediating device. Projection and reflection physically mediate the activities in
the space in, juxtaposition to the electronic mediation represented by the institution. Glass, mirrors, polished surfaces and
reflective membranes interact with the occupant to create multiple images or views of both the occupants and the space. The
viewer is constantly made aware of his/her position within the space and of the relationship between reflected spaces and
physical spaces. The coexistence of electronic and physical mediation enriches the experience and brings to the forefront
universal questions of location, time and point of view. The project includes a lounge/library, a private screening are, office,
editing facilities and editing classroom, a theater/auditorium and an exhibition space. All of these spaces are open to the
public at different times allowing the entire space to be used at once or for different areas to be used independently. This
flexibility also allows users to move through the entire institution sequentially, to pop into individual rooms, or to bypass the
whole institution. It provides the client with a very flexible space that can be used in many different ways at different times or
simultaneously. The auditorium theater also opens completely to the main exhibition space to form one large space for
parties or other big events
SLCE Architects, New York, NY – USA
http://www.slcearch.com
Libraries:
Cardozo School of Law Yeshiva University, New York, NY – USA 2003
Building Area: 13.800sf
The 7th floor is the main entrance to the four story library and provides essential library services such as circulation desk, reference
desk, computer work areas, reading rooms, publications and video playback. Statistics for the 7th floor: 13,800sf, 233,528 volumes of
books (physical), 476,812 in micro form. 34 student computer work stations. 64 seats for reading activities. (SLC)
Port Richmond High School, Staten Island, NY – USA 1996
Building Area: 62.500sqf.
The Port Richmond High School addition is a 4 story 62,500 sq. ft. structure containing 20 classrooms, administrative and counseling
offices, 7 state-of-art laboratories, studios and shop, and a new double height entry lobby. The building's detailed exterior combines
flamed granite, brick and limestone colored precast concrete with iron fencing to compliment the richness of the adjoining Georgian
buildings. The new addition provides the school with a new entrance portico and a double height entrance lobby. Additionally,
corridor links connect the old to the new school allowing level circulation on all floors. (SLCE)
Smalwood Reynolds, Steward Steward Associates Inc., Atlanta-Tampa, FL – USA
http://www.srssa.com
Libraries:
Nova Southeastern University, The Library (Alvin Sherman Library) and Information Technology
Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL – USA 2001
44.000.000 €, 500.000 – 600.000 visitors/year
This 325,000-SF building, Florida's largest library, is a joint-use facility funded by Nova Southeastern University and Broward
County. It provides traditional and advanced electronic library services to all age groups. A 500-seat performing arts center, 20
electronic classrooms and a 1,500-car parking structure allow this project to meet many educational and cultural needs for the
University and community. (Smalwood)
Smith & Company Architects, Houston, TX – USA
http://www.sc-arch.com
Libraries:
The African American Library at the Gregory School, Houston, TX – USA 2009
20.000 sqf.
Awards:
2010 AIA Houston Chapter Design Award
The restoration and redevelopment of the historic Gregory School (1926) as an African American Museum & Library has opened
the door to an opportunity to create an interpretive experience that will profoundly connect the school with the surrounding
Houston community as the new center for interpreting African American culture through history. This building is an amazing
artifact, vacant for years, that has just managed to stand the test of time. Now it will function as a new resource for interpreting
history and preserving the history of the African American experience in Houston. The restoration will include a Museum, Library
and Archives and a Black Box Theater. The classroom will be restored with as much of the original finishes and furniture as possible
to create the voice of the place. There will be some original students’ desks where visitors will be encouraged to sit as well as
additional seating for adults. Visitors will discover that the classroom is actually a theater where they will experience their
introduction to the primary storyline. (Smith)
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