Canadian Library Thread

J.OT13 · #1 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 6:03 PM**

With recent library projects in Halifax and Calgary, I'm surprised we don't already have a dedicated thread for Canadian Libraries.

The design for the new Ottawa Central Library/Library and Archives Canada joint facility has been revealed. Design by Diamond and Schmitt Architects. Expected to open in 2024.

https://twitter.com/TimTierney/statu...04776032186368

https://twitter.com/JimWatsonOttawa/...04457135136769

J.OT13 · #2 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 6:08 PM**

https://twitter.com/LibraryArchives/...07164889636871

canucklehead2 · #3 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 6:09 PM**

I love me a huge central library. When I was living full time in both Edmonton and Calgary I would always visit the main branch a few days a week. That was until the homeless really took over Stanley A Milner and made it a very awkward experience for anyone actually trying to sit and quietly read there. Now I just order everything online to a smaller branch and pick it up at home.

As for Edmonton's reno? Into the #ThinkTank ? Well...

ToxiK · #4 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 6:10 PM**

Great idea for a thread !!

canucklehead2 · #5 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 6:10 PM**

This thing? Soooo jealous of Calgary and the great warm womb atrium.

Photo from Dezeen.com

O-tacular · #6 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 6:11 PM**

Looks promising. More conventional than Calgary or Halifax’s libraries but still solid.

O-tacular · #7 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 6:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by canucklehead2

This thing? Soooo jealous of Calgary and the great warm womb atrium.

That looks like a rendering but it’s totally real. The wood work in the central library is next level. It’s one of the coolest buildings I’ve been in and that includes obvious architectural highlights from Europe and NYC.

canucklehead2 · #8 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 6:15 PM**

Photo: CBC.CA

And in the grand Edmonton tradition of project management, it's behind schedule and over-budget...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmon...rary-1.5396888

O-tacular · #9 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 6:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by canucklehead2

I love me a huge central library. When I was living full time in both Edmonton and Calgary I would always visit the main branch a few days a week. That was until the homeless really took over Stanley A Milner and made it a very awkward experience for anyone actually trying to sit and quietly read there. Now I just order everything online to a smaller branch and pick it up at home.

As for Edmonton's reno? Into the #ThinkTank ? Well...

One of the worst facelifts for any building in recent memory. Almost deserves a thread of its own.

canucklehead2 · #10 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 6:21 PM**

Edmonton under Stephen Mandel and later Don Iveson hired largely Danish architects with an obsession with metal to design a series of libraries around the city. Here is my local branch, Highlands...

Credit: https://www.shl.dk/highlands-branch-library/

The odd design was needed to preserve the rather tall tree which was planted by Queen Elizabeth II herself during some trip to the city...

Credit: https://www.shl.dk/highlands-branch-library/

Credit: https://thedesignconcept.co.uk/proje...anada/pr/16054

canucklehead2 · #11 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 6:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-tacular

One of the worst facelifts for any building in recent memory. Almost deserves a thread of its own.

Yup. Edmonton also loves to bait and switch the public with fanciful renderings of designs it has no hope in hell of actually completing as is. Instead we get the child-like value engineered version of everything that looks almost always NOTHING like the final product...

And yes calling the reno the worst project in the cities history is a common statement no matter which side of the political divide you are on. Short of Tesla Cybertruck fans, it's U-G-L-Y and without a proper alibi!

Here is what the original design was when it opened in 1967 until the closure in 2016. All photos from epl.ca

The ultra mid-century modernist interior and floor to ceiling glass was beautiful before it was over designed and over-renovated in the 1990's into a chopped up dump of specialty zones.. Yes it needed modernization but it would have been much better off just to renovate and restore its austere brilliance..

J.OT13 · #12 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 6:31 PM**

The Highlands library is fine because of its small scale.

The Millenium Falcon monstrosity in the centre of the city is absolutely horrid!! Metal siding is fine in moderation, but this is

I feel really bad for Edmontonians. That thing will dominate one of the most prominent spots downtown for decades to come.

TorontoDrew · #13 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 6:38 PM**

The Toronto Reference Library.

• Video Link

Calgarian · #14 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 7:00 PM**

The street level interface in that first render leaves a bit to be desired, but all in all it looks great!

Calgarian · #15 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 7:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by canucklehead2

Edmonton under Stephen Mandel and later Don Iveson hired largely Danish architects with an obsession with metal to design a series of libraries around the city. Here is my local branch, Highlands...

Credit: https://www.shl.dk/highlands-branch-library/

The odd design was needed to preserve the rather tall tree which was planted by Queen Elizabeth II herself during some trip to the city...

Credit: https://www.shl.dk/highlands-branch-library/

Credit: https://thedesignconcept.co.uk/proje...anada/pr/16054

This one looks great! Love how green and leafy that Elm tree is too!

J.OT13 · #16 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 7:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

The street level interface in that first render leaves a bit to be desired, but all in all it looks great!

I agree. I hope they work on that aspect.

Echoes · #17 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 7:54 PM**

Saskatoon is jumping on the library bandwagon, with $133M in funding for a new central library approved in November.

Site acquisition is underway with the future downtown location being announced in the next 6 months.

Unveiling of design is probably 2 years away.

Opening 2026.

whatnext · #18 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 8:00 PM**

Already 16 posts in and no mention of the grandaddy of celebrity libraries, Safdie's Central Branch in Vancouver?

[IMG]

vpl by whatnextyvr, on Flickr[/IMG]
Credit: Vancouver Sun

canucklehead2 · #19 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 8:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

Already 16 posts in and no mention of the grandaddy of celebrity libraries, Safdie's Central Branch in Vancouver?

[IMG]

vpl by whatnextyvr, on Flickr[/IMG]
Credit: Vancouver Sun

We definitely should. It's the holy grail for successful public library/urban integration with its glorious indoor/outdoor courtyard with birds... Last time I was in town I literally spent the afternoon touring the building because I was/still obsessed with the work of Moshe Safdie...

Calgarian · #20 Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 8:11 PM**

Best library in the country, one of the best in the world!