The New Public Library - Final project book

Click above to flip through the whole issue of the New Public Library project book.

DARICE CADRIEL

MICHAEL HAMILTON

BRADEN HUNTER

M M

EVAN MULLEN

CHRISTINE REINDERS

MATTHEW SCHEXNYDER

LAURA WOLF

Library Of The Present: Communal Information In Physical Space

Sou Fujimoto, Musashino Art University Museum & Library, Tokyo, 2010

"The Internet is now the library of the past. Where the public library has historically served as the primary source of information gathering and dissemination, we now look to this new virtual, infinitely large library that can be accessed anywhere at any time as the Library of the present.

As a result, the primary roles of today’s physical libraries have shifted. Libraries of the past focused primarily on individualized information consumption. Communal aspects of interaction and information dissemination now represent the core mission of the library when information is more easily accessible. The silent grand beaux-arts reading rooms of New York or Boston have of the past been transformed into flexible communal “living rooms” in Seattle.

[...]

Full article at: archdaily

In-progress Renderings

I still have a lot of work to do but here are some renderings of my work in progress.  The lower image shows the view from below the building; I tried to articulate the under-surface of the concrete slab for structural and environmental factors.  I am also working on a screen pattern for the glazing which varies in opacity based on solar aspect (you can see a bit of it in the glazing in these renderings).  In addition to these, I am planning to show a close-up facade detail and some interior scenes.

I've been working on modeling my building. It actually helped with the articulation of some of the internal and external spaces and allowed me to do some renders. Here's one...

This Weeks Progress

Here are a couple of options for the facade geometry. One is governed by triangular geometry dependent on floor levels on the interior. The second is more free form and relies on circular elements to penetrate the interior. In both cases, the size of the aperture relates to the scale of interaction on the adjacent interior.

I also worked on the lighting plan. Multi-volume spaces are treated with pendent lighting to provide light and scale to the space. Geometric panel lighting is placed in the base of each floor plate module.

progress work

a look at my work over the last week. they are all works in progress.

site map w/ building footprint:
sections:
plans:

interior render:

would love to hear your thoughts!

Curtain Wall Update

I have been focusing this week on making my curtain wall more "playful" and a better reflection of my concept. I've removed horizontal members and solid walls and have focused on the vertical. Vertical members are closer together and further apart as dictated by the use of interior program spaces. Some members span multiple floors and some are single height. Thoughts?

Stumbled upon this while browsing. It's shares some of the elements that some of us are proposing in our projects.

http://www.american-architects.com/projects/projects_detail/29323

Glazing + Structure

Hi guys,

Just a quick note- I know many of us yesterday were talking about trusses and structure while dealing with curtain walls or glazing. I found a semi-relevant precedent on my way home- the Boston U. Agganis Arena. If you look at the windows facing Comm. Ave. (approaching from Kenmore Square, so before you get to the main entrance) you can clearly see all of the structural systems in the first floor behind their large windows. This is only semi-relevant because they aren't using a curtain wall in this particular example, but it may be a good inspiration point or example of how to celebrate or make a moment out of necessary structural members. I honestly don't think they did a good job of highlighting it or making it a larger piece of the composition, but its a good start for understanding how this might look and ways in which you could make it bolder or less obvious. I attached some images of the building below, both the front entrance (left, below) and the actual windows I'm talking about (right) along Comm. Ave.

working in section

after our reviews last week i came home and worked on making my design more dynamic in section as was recommended. a friend and i went to a craft store looking for new/different/non architectural materials to work with and find inspiration from. this was very helpful for me, as i began to think more of the ceiling treatments and how they could effect the spaces they help to create. i sketched a bunch in my sketch book and worked on physical models as well as in sketchup. i find that working in both physical modeling and in sketchup helpful because physical modeling can take longer then necessary because i tend to get caught up in the details. this week i think the sketchup massing models helped me to understand the stairs and dimensions as well as letting me see the ceiling treatment idea i have had from the outdoor space. below are some snapshots of the sketchup model i worked on.above is a view of the southern entry on myrtle st, looking at the ceiling treatment and the roof deck. this view is an attempt at trying to bring my collages to life and representing the ideas i had then in my design. i think in this view it is clear how important the transition from the exterior space to the interior space is going to be. this collage is what was inspiring me:
above is an east/west section through the larger mass of the design.


above are north/south sections showing how i am working with the transparent void as a beacon for the community. it is an important element for the entry and as visual importance in the community. this is a very rough sketch and has since taken several forms and heights. it has yet to be resolved.

thanks for reading, any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Weekly Inspiration

I found this image of a bridge-like design and complex that's very similar to my site and current ideas for development- high rises on one side, an aquatic depression, and a bridging structure to traverse it. I'm hoping this will keep me inspired for next week's iterations!

Floor Plans

Here are my floor plans for this week where I have worked out the first iteration of program organization and building layout.

The general concept is that this is a "working" library, less for access to materials, and more for areas to work, meet, and collaborate. Limited material will be available for "browsing" and will be organized by topic (similar to a bookstore) than by traditional library systems, such as the Dewey Decimal system. The work areas get quieter as you ascend upward. The upper-most floor is a mezzanine level for library staff offices.

Circulation areas and "movement" areas will contain loose book stacks that people will be forced to walk passed and "browse" as they move to their desired location within the building.

I have axons and sections of the building, but can't post them yet because I need to scan them...I will get them up here ASAP.

On networks and circulation patterns

Paul Baran, On Distributed Communications Networks, RAND Corporation, 1962

This post is a small continuation of the presentation on networks and circulation. By identifying the different types of networks one can imagine new ways of organizational principles in architecture. That can be applied either as an organizational diagram of program or as an internal/external circulation system. Each of the different network systems, as presented by Baran, have got both advantages and disadvantages for communications regarding effectiveness and alternative routes. Borrowing elements of these concepts from fields outside of architecture can spark ideas on how one can be more inventive with the way the users of a building can move around on their way to a certain part of it, how long that might take, how many options they might have to reach the same point from alternative routes and so on.
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Paul Baran (1926–2011) was a Polish American engineer who was a pioneer in the development of computer networks. He worked for the computer science department in the mathematics division of the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research and development organization funded mostly by government grants. At that time the RAND Corporation focused mostly on Cold War-related military problems. Baran thought he could design a more robust communications networks using digital computers and by introducing redundancy.


At that time there were two basic models for building communication networks: centralized and decentralized. In a centralized network all nodes are connected directly and only to a centralized hub or switch. All data is sent from an individual node to the center and then routed to its destination. If the center is destroyed or not functioning all communication is effectively cut off. If the route between a node and the center is destroyed or not functioning, that node is effectively cut off. A decentralized network uses several centralized hubs. It is almost like several small centralized networks joined together. Each individual node is still dependent upon the proper functioning of its hub and the route to it.


Baran suggested a third alternative—a distributed network—"a communication network which will allow several hundred major communications stations to talk with one another after an enemy attack. " (Baran, Rand Memorandum 3420-PR, CH.1) A distributed network would have no centralized switch. Each node would be connected to several of its neighboring nodes in a sort of lattice-like configuration. Therefore, each node would have several possible routes to send data. If one route or neighboring node was destroyed, another path would be available.


Excerpts via: ibiblio

I think I've found a solution to my woes. I compressed the program and building into the "tower" that is attached to the existing building thats immediately adjacent to the site. The other "towers" become depressions which are outdoor public areas. The building is accessed by descending a short stair into the depression immediately next to the building...you can see it in the images.

The volumes portruding from the main volume are the work areas that get quieter as you rise. A cafe, and "superloud" work area is at the entrance level. The first portruding volume is a public lecture space/auditorium.

Let me know what you think.