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| Library Design | |
The new single-level library is 25,000 square feet of gross floor area with a collection capacity of approximately 100,000 volumes. The building is composed of two parts: a carpeted main hall with 18-foot high ceilings and an entry wing which is lower in height, has stone floors and café area with fireplace. The information desk is located directly in line with the entrance. The adult’s reading lounge is located at the north end of the building, facing Lacewood Drive and the children’s area is located at the south end with views of the sloped wooded area. 'Boxes' within the main library hall, each with its own character, house a range of functions that require sound separation. These include; three meeting rooms with audio-visual infrastructure, a computer training classroom and staff offices. The new library has an in-floor power and data management system through for maximum flexibility in the future. The design responds to functional requirements in a simple and elegant manner. The building materials are wood, steel, glass and stone.
The main library hall has full height glass walls with an 18-foot ceiling supported by steel columns that branch out at the top like the trees in the park.
The low entry wing of the library is clad in local blue stone with a generous canopy and trellis to protect patrons from the elements when entering the building. The main library hall is full height glass with smaller study bays clad in zinc to break down the scale.
The rear elevation is a mixture of stone cladding and glass. The stone is located where the future recreation centre will “connect” to the library. In the meantime, the sun will warm the stone wall and extend the life of the patio into autumn and spring. The full height glass on the left side of the elevation looks into the children’s area.
This all glass elevation has three zinc study bays and looks onto a small forested area. |
 Building Floor Plan
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