Library Buildings around the World

Diamond Schmitt Architects, Toronto, ON – Canada
http://www.dsai.ca
Libraries:
Brentwood Library, Toronto, ON – Canada 2012
The Brentwood Library reopened recently following a two-year renovation and expansion designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects.
The updated library adds 30 percent more public service, collection and staff space configured on a tight site in the suburb of
Etobicoke, Ontario.
The form of the original (1955) two-storey east wing is maintained and connects with a three-storey addition by a double-height
Reading Room that houses the library’s main book collection and seating areas. This central spine features an exposed steel-tension
truss-and-wood roof as a sculptural element and fully glazed north and south elevations have clear and coloured translucent glass
panels. Natural lighting is abundant throughout the library and all occupied spaces have windows and outdoor views.
The cladding consists of curtain wall, zinc panels, split-faced limestone masonry and charcoal-hued brick – materials that reference
the adjacent precinct and the library’s siting between commercial interests to the south and residential to the north. Landscaping
furthers this transition with the addition of benches and a shade park with shrubs, ornamental grasses and perennials.
“This library reflects the multi-purpose role libraries serve in the community and provides a wide range of highly visible program
space for group and individual activities,” said Donald Schmitt, Principal with Diamond Schmitt Architects.
Next to the entrance hall on the main floor, the Urban Living Room comprises a lounge with soft seating around a fireplace with an
original Group of Seven painting by A.J. Casson. This high-circulation area features computer stations, new fiction, periodicals and
multi-media. A 90-seat community room serves as a quiet study area and supports public functions with audio-visual equipment and
a kitchen. The balance of the ground floor contains the KidsStop Interactive Early Literacy Centre – intimately scaled zones
according to age groups and story-time activity.
The second floor features another fireplace seating area, the adult book collections, a computer learning centre, a group study area
and an enclosed Teen Zone with large screen TV. Office and support areas are located on the third floor.
Traditional and contemporary finishes create an elegant and playful interior. White glazed concrete block defines the spine, which
features vertical banded lighting. A rich chocolate carpet field connects program areas that have distinct floor colouring and
patterns. Black walnut wood is used for all shelving, millwork, wall panels and benches. An array of contemporary colourful chairs,
tables and loose furnishing further provide contrast and a sense of fun.
“We strive to make our branches welcoming, accessible and inspiring neighbourhood hubs, and I think the Brentwood Branch
renovation has achieved these goals,” said Toronto Library Board Chair Paul Ainslie.
Sustainable design initiatives include reusing the structure of the west portion of the former building’s foundation walls, steel
columns and second floor assembly. The existing arched glulam beams and wood roof deck previously concealed by acoustic tiles
have been restored and exposed. A high performance building envelope, energy-efficient mechanical features and a radiant floor
heating system reduce energy consumption. A mechanized shading system controlled by light sensors enhances indoor lighting and
control. An elevator was added and the ground floor of the existing wing was lowered to grade, for full accessibility. Canadian
Architect 11.11.12 (http://www.canadianarchitect.com)
Harris Learning Library, Nipissing University / Canadore College, North Bay, ON – Canada 2011
Client; Nipissing College, Canadore College
The three-storey, 56,000-square-foot library serves as a new gateway to the shared Nipissing and Canadore campus and doubles the
size of existing collection space and student user space. Key architectural elements include two large, fully glazed volumes that
bookend the building with a double-storey study hall at one end and service space at the other. A three-storey skylight atrium serves
as the axis for student orientation and provides natural day lighting throughout. A unique feature is a terraced reading area with
built-in seating on a gentle grade between the first and second floor. The periodical reading room provides views over the evergreen
forest landscape.
This library serves equally as a resource centre and a town square for information exchange where students can access group study
space, computer rooms, distant learning facilities, informal study space and traditional reading rooms. The configuration transitions
from social learning on the lower floors to study space that is quieter and more focused on the third floor. A special feature of the
library is the Treaty Learning Centre, designed for studying the experiences of First Nations in Canada. (Diamond)
University of Ontario, Institute of Technology, University Library, Oshawa, ON - Canada 2011
Awards:
2012
Copper Development Association / Canadian Copper and Brass Development Association, North American Copper in Architecture
Award - New Construction
2008
RAIC / CIP / CSLA, National Urban Design Awards - Medal of Excellence for Community Urban Design
2007
Building Magazine, Outside the Box Award - Green Building Design
2006
Society for College and University Planning / AIA Committee on Architecture for Education, SCUP Awards - Honor Award for
Excellence in Planning for a New Campus
The Brick Industry Association, Brick in Architecture Awards - Bronze
2005
RAIC - Award of Excellence for Innovation in Architecture
With its 650 fully computer-connected workspaces and electronic classrooms, as well as its dramatic, three-storey glass rotunda, the
library at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Oshawa, Ontario, is a showplace for the twenty-first century. Much at
attention has been paid to the quality and variety of student space in this facility. Large study halls overlook the landscaped
commons and provide a variety of table, carrel and lounge seating. Enclosed rooms are provided for group study, seminar discussion
and quiet work activities. A small sixty-seat café in the library overlooks a reflecting pool/ice rink and a stormwater management
pond. The library houses a peint collection of about 125.000 books, with a significant emphasis on referene material, but it is the
provision of wired and wireless connection to electronic collections that distinguishes it from libraries in most other post-secondary
instututions. The library has been designed to achieve an energy efficieny target of 30-per-cent below ASHRAE 90.1 standard and to
obtain LEED Gold certification. (Diamond)
12