New Central Library | Construction

[MichaelS]

So with this design showing the connection through the library to replace "8th Ave", are there any plans to improve the connection through City Hall? Not asking for much, maybe just stop locking the building up at 6:00 PM on Friday until 6:00 AM on Mondays?

Also, I know it was talked about earlier yesterday, but seems like the event last night was really botched. For an unveiling, I didn't see anything about it on the morning news over breakfast, or talked about on the radio on the commute in.

I also hope "design isn't final" isn't code for looking to cut costs once the actual construction tenders come back. We all saw how the white interior of the Peace Bridge wasn't the final design....

[H.E.Pennypacker]

Originally Posted by RyLucky

lol bowt!

I actually thought the south end fit in well with the massing/form of existing structures on the block. I think a lot of people will be strolling into the building from that side from the Epcor Centre, Calgary Tower, Stephen Ave, etc. I can't really imagine a more welcoming design, and encouraging pedestrian traffic is probably the best way improve the perception of safety.

If I'm looking at the renders correctly as well that grand staircase looks like it will be built over the encapsulation for the LRT line (which I think is pretty cool how they incorporated that in the design) ... I think that 'wall' he's referring to is actually apart of that encapsulation - not sure if it's even possible to change that

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by MasterG

This. The level of detail and sophistication in the design was actually quite amazing. Watching the presentation was a wake-up call to the level that high-end architecture operates.

While most agree (and were there) I suspect that the high-res images will win some sceptics. Nothing posted here has really given it justice yet IMO. The 3-4 connection through the centre of the wood arc feature that holds the entrance? Maaaaan. That is an incredible level of design.

I think they undersold it by stating the most stunning public building in 25 years and for the next 25. I think this sets the bar higher than anything we have done and truly competes at a level we haven't been until recently. Telus Sky, The Bow, NCL, NMC are all within a 5 minute walk...

Small town Calgary no more. We've won.

What's NCL?

[Husky Tower]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

What's NCL?

New Central Library


HT

[O-tacular]

OK... My thoughts on the new library. Like others have stated what I've seen so far doesn't make me stop in my tracks and go "How the hell do they build that?" (which usually for me is a sign of groundbreaking architecture). That said, I think a lot of the appeal of the building will be in details we haven't seen yet. I like the pattern and love the underpass. The interior atrium has promise. Due to the poor quality of the images so far I can't really tell much about the wood used but it could add warmth to the design and look really awesome. Otherwise I fear the interior would be too sterile.

It does look different (in a good way) than I was expecting from elevation drawings I'd seen. Even knowing its general form, the renderings show its angles much better.

I think perhaps, many of the people who are not as wowed by it might feel like I do, that it isn't organic enough. I so desperately want this city to build something that is actually organic, and round. In the conceptual images of EV those glass atriums look awesome, but I know that likely nothing like that will ever be built. I'm not sure if its conservatism, or lack of construction knowledge, but we don't tend to see the more organic engineering marvels you do in European cities. The closest thing I have seen so far that actually made me go "FUCK YEAH!!" was the new design for the Eau Claire market redevelopment, which imo could fit in in any Scandinavian country.

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by Husky Tower

New Central Library


HT

Oh. I thought he was talking about buildings within walking distance of the library.

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I believe as more renders in better quality come out this design will win everyone over. The attention to detail is the key.

That's what I'm hoping. Perhaps it will be more understated and timeless.

Right now though I kind of find the NMC more of a landmark design. If they don't totally botch the exterior it could really become a defining landmark of this city. The new library as seen so far to me seems like it will be more of a hidden gem than an in your face marker of Calgary. Maybe that's good though. In any case It should complement NMC and the EV quite well.

[Amsterdamned]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Any bets on the mullions being simplified due to budget constraints??

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by Bokimon

My take, considering the enormous challenge presented at the current site, The design team had done as best as they could to interpret the 16000 or so wishlist of all Calgarians and produced a truly honorable product deserving of accolades the world over. This is yet another prime example of when people work together for the common goal. Many commercial developers should start learning this so we can get away from the boring ass box with 99% leasing efficiencies. Overall a very well done and a fitting project in our great city. You guys/common public have to understand the constraints on that site and how it does limit or prevent full maximizing of design possibilities. It is not a sandbox site like the Egypt project. Unfortunately for cost, Calgary contractors know little about building these calibre designs so I bet this figure is probably overly cautious for the actual worth of the design as in other cities I bet it would be done cheaper while maintaining design quality.

INteresting elements to me is a little known item which is that potential commercial partnership space which is a lot allocated right beside it along the whitehorn LRT line. Who will be building this and what specs will it have? Perhaps if this too is designed so to compliment the library, this block will truly be a masterpiece.
I was going to ask the question of if public artwork is required for this project due to the recent rules in the bylaw demanding such but I dunno, maybe the envelope of the library can count as public art! It should! The glazing articulation is very nice and leaves alot of creative room, although I will bet my salary that behind each of the odd shaped windows, there will be some kind of steel skeleton to support these glazing just like the Seattle Library and the Zeil in Frankfurt.

Some technical design aspects seem somewhat exaggerated, but I did not see any design elements that would be too difficult to detail to be buildable.
Inside spaces are outstanding, the vulva like opening in the middle is reminiscent of the Cantos Center and the fluid layout to encourage circulation and engagement in the various spaces are what these types of projects are designed for. Heck I would label this as a cultural project.
The project looks futureproof enough to adapt to the changes over the years and i think they will handle it well.

I would like to see the exterior glazing have some dynamic properties like what Telus Sky had done recently with illumination, or maybe even moving parts in the cladding like those cladding pieces on that UofC downtown parking structure. The scale does hide away a bit but perhaps it is meant to be more intimate in its surrounding realm. Plus people will gravitate to it no matter what as it is just too damn sweet of a design.
I was also pleased to hear many of the older generations seem to appreciate and praise this new thinking approach to a 21st century library. Other than minor concerns like railings, ramps (sloped sidewalks less than 8%) and whiny entitled comfort access from LRT to main entry, people overall embraced this.

Since we saw the renderings, expectations will be high for the design team to fulfill the vision and not compromise on cost cutting. Take the time to draw it right and build it right as the site is a challenge and so is the design. Interesting as there are no below grade spaces so the project will have a gazillion piles in its foundation and thick grade beams.
Overall, it is Telus sky level of excitement!

I hope more of these presentations for various other projects are done as you learn so much more..

Cannot be unseen!!!

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by Amsterdamned

Any bets on the mullions being simplified due to budget constraints??

Without that pattern this design would drop a couple notches for me.

[H.E.Pennypacker]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

OK... My thoughts on the new library. Like others have stated what I've seen so far doesn't make me stop in my tracks and go "How the hell do they build that?" (which usually for me is a sign of groundbreaking architecture). That said, I think a lot of the appeal of the building will be in details we haven't seen yet. I like the pattern and love the underpass. The interior atrium has promise. Due to the poor quality of the images so far I can't really tell much about the wood used but it could add warmth to the design and look really awesome. Otherwise I fear the interior would be too sterile.

It does look different (in a good way) than I was expecting from elevation drawings I'd seen. Even knowing its general form, the renderings show its angles much better.

I think perhaps, many of the people who are not as wowed by it might feel like I do, that it isn't organic enough. I so desperately want this city to build something that is actually organic, and round. In the conceptual images of EV those glass atriums look awesome, but I know that likely nothing like that will ever be built. I'm not sure if its conservatism, or lack of construction knowledge, but we don't tend to see the more organic engineering marvels you do in European cities. The closest thing I have seen so far that actually made me go "FUCK YEAH!!" was the new design for the Eau Claire market redevelopment, which imo could fit in in any Scandinavian country.

Well said, good comments on the organic part .. I think my expectations were geared around that - specifically I though there would be more of a flowing curve-like design around the actual building

As Bigtime said, the devil is in the details .. I'll anxiously await more high res renders

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by Blue_Cypress

This one's got a brain on him!

Since you would have more intimate knowledge of the construction of this thing, can you say whether or not the encapsulation will help this? It's not like there's simply a pane of glassing separating the lrt. Isn't it like a huge raft slab?

In any case maybe I'm weird, but I tend to like white noise.

[Amsterdamned]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I'm sure the safety guys will have something to say about the lack of railings everywhere...

Really like it though, still don't understand why they don't release HQ renderings until later....

Haha... that was the first thing I noticed. Technical minds....

[Surrealplaces]

Originally Posted by SKYSTHELIMIT

Amazing looking library guys. Now if they could carve out a tunnel through the municipal bldg to the same effect would be nice. Mind you it won't feel that cut off as your east village rises and welcomes more people to that side.

I would love it if they could just take out the middle section of city hall and have Stephen ave go all the way through with the library as the backdrop. Either that or make a substantial open gateway through city hall.

[Surrealplaces]

Originally Posted by trueviking

spectacular....its annoying to be in the same country as calgary these days.

great stuff.

It's those Scandanavian architects!

[tomthumb2]

Hate to be negative but aren't libraries becoming extinct? Having said that, it looks like a pretty nice building - especially inside. Just not sure if Joe Average would ever have a reason to go there.

[Bigtime]

Libraries has evolved well beyond "a place with books", they have become community gathering spaces, areas to relax, theatre space (which this one will have), and much much more.

[Amsterdamned]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Without that pattern this design would drop a couple notches for me.

I agree completely. I think it looks great. It will be a nice addition to EV.

I know everyone wants to bore a tunnel under the city to the NCL or have the lobby corridor opened longer for improved access but lets be honest here, it will never happen. Walk around the block.

[Wooster]

There are plans to substantially alter the municipal building, particularly to create legible, pleasant and secure pass through along the 8th Avenue alignment. There's just no capital budget to do it at the moment, but it'll happen by necessity at some point.

[flipstah]

As a commoner, I like it.

Calgary is shaping up to become a strong metropolis.