New Central Library | Construction

[Surrealplaces]

Some renders that haven't been shown here on SSP yet

The lighting in the upper area is blowing me away.

New Central Library by Render Central, on Flickr


New Central Library by Render Central, on Flickr

New Central Library by Render Central, on Flickr

New Central Library by Render Central, on Flickr



New Central Library by Render Central, on Flickr

[RyLucky]

I think all the broad, midrise buildings in the the EV (City Hall, BVC, NCL, Cantos, District Energy... even the DI and Salvation Army) will look even better when there is more diversity of form in the area, with narrow highrise condos jutting in between them and store frontages everywhere.

[Surrealplaces]

Libraries started out being places where people went to read, but also to meet up with others, so in a way they are kind of coming around full circle.

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by 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.

[polishavenger]

[QUOTE=Surrealplaces;6718210]Some renders that haven't been shown here on SSP yet

The lighting in the upper area is blowing me away.


The upper floor here seems very dungeonesque, crappy dank lighting and very low ceiling clearance, more like an old parkade than a welcoming public space.

[Surrealplaces]

It's a lot lighter than that on the original picture. Much of the darkness is just from it being a cell phone shot.

[QUOTE=polishavenger;6718221]

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

Some renders that haven't been shown here on SSP yet

The lighting in the upper area is blowing me away.


The upper floor here seems very dungeonesque, crappy dank lighting and very low ceiling clearance, more like an old parkade than a welcoming public space.

[sync]

regarding the assumed lack of railings...this was addressed last night - there are actually railings everywhere that they are required - you just can't visualize them very well in the renderings because they are glass.

[RyLucky]

It is kind of like a great white whale, isn't it. In a good way...

[H.E.Pennypacker]

Damn, really like the looks in those new renders

Originally Posted by 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.

I'm really excited to hear this .. If they can parallel what the Library has done by carving out an open air walkway from Stephen Ave through the Municipal Building leading into the EV/Library that would be a huge transformation and amazing connection

Originally Posted by RyLucky

I think all the broad, midrise buildings in the the EV (City Hall, BVC, NCL, Cantos, District Energy... even the DI and Salvation Army) will look even better when there is more diversity of form in the area, with narrow highrise condos jutting in between them and store frontages everywhere.

Agreed .. I think the area will look quite spectacular when other developments are built out - a great mix of high rise and low rise

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

Libraries started out being places where people went to read, but also to meet up with others, so in a way they are kind of coming around full circle.

It's also a good point of reference for tourists and will bring a lot of vibrancy to the east side of the Municipal Building which is severely lacking

[RyLucky]

Originally Posted by H.E.Pennypacker

Agreed .. I think the area will look quite spectacular when other developments are built out - a great mix of high rise and low rise

It's also a good point of reference for tourists and will bring a lot of vibrancy to the east side of the Municipal Building which is severely lacking

Just wait until there is a massive HSR terminal down the street!

(maybe with a regional rail hub and a SELRT stop on 10th too!)

[Spring2008]

I find it funny how people are so quick to jump to conclusions without even seeing the full details of the project. Probably the same people who bash projects like Maxwell Bates before any of the finishing touches were in place.

Some of the renders are conceptual like. Looking at the top-floor renders, I would assume the final design is a lot closer to this first one, and even then, probably missing lots of the detailing. Looks great. the second basically only shows the massing. Do some people really think the interiors will be all exposed concrete?

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

Some renders that haven't been shown here on SSP yet



New Central Library by Render Central, on Flickr

The lighting in the upper area is blowing me away.

New Central Library by Render Central, on Flickr

[Govertical]

I really could have thrown a book at people last night for complaining about access!, I mean I would prefer to see this thing not have a plus fifteen and get the street life back to this area of downtown. I kind wish it was bigger, but then I realize that the site is quite long and that they are trying to address natural lighting concerns. If I hadn't been to the presentation last night I probably would have not been so convinced, Snohetta sure backed up the design and I think people will like it in time...

[DizzyEdge]

So after considering the design a bit more, I think I, like some others who commented, was expected a blow me away design which would become the "symbol of Calgary". That said, I think what we got instead is a worthy and great addition to what is shaping up to be a "garden of great design" in the East Village. Think of the analogy that instead of the most amazing sculpture/painting you've ever seen, we're growing an art gallery of great works.

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by 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.

Doesn't appear to be, I believe Calgary's library system is the 6th busiest in North America, and 3 of the busier ones are separate New York systems.

[ByeByeBaby]

A couple of comments people made on here were addressed last night:
Green roof - no. Given the wide open nature of the building, the cost to add in the structural support for a green roof would be excessive. They are going to use a high albedo roof. Project will be LEED Gold.
Value engineering - this was on the twitter screen and the architects said that they had enough money to build what they were showing, and that additional design changes would be based on locating uses within the space.

[MasterG]

Originally Posted by Govertical

I really could have thrown a book at people last night for complaining about access!, I mean I would prefer to see this thing not have a plus fifteen and get the street life back to this area of downtown. I kind wish it was bigger, but then I realize that the site is quite long and that they are trying to address natural lighting concerns. If I hadn't been to the presentation last night I probably would have not been so convinced, Snohetta sure backed up the design and I think people will like it in time...

The access comments were hilarious. I didn't realize the love of +15s ran so deep in the collective psyche!

1. The current Library has no parking, neither does this one
2. The LRT station is kitty-corner from the new library

Were people expecting it to be built with a station in the basement or something? How do you get closer than across the street?

This site probably couldn't have better access if it tried, not to mention provided an important additional East-West link that currently doesn't exist. Not only that, the link is a beautiful, well-thought design that can truly become a special place.

That local architect looked silly with his pro-Plus 15 commentary. Not every site needs a Plus 15. I would think that as an architect he would have some semblance of an idea around the negative repercussions on street-life and activity for such a site if you take people above grade.

[fusili]

I really like the theatre on the ground level. I think it is a fantastic place to hold public lectures/talks. TedxYYC anyone (perhaps too big for that venue now though).

[RyLucky]

My first impression is that this projects comes in behind Telus Sky and ECR on my most anticipated development list:

1. Telus Sky
2. Eau Claire Redev
3. Calgary Central Library
4. Mount Royal Village
5. NMC
6. A big tie between Mark, West Village Condos, 6th & Tenth, Orchard, Manulife, Kings on Fourth, Guardian, and Brookfield Place
7. Some key low rises: the Kensington, TD bank reno on 17th, Marda Loop, Lido, wow! too many to list!

[LFRENCH]

Originally Posted by MasterG

The access comments were hilarious. I didn't realize the love of +15s ran so deep in the collective psyche!

1. The current Library has no parking, neither does this one
2. The LRT station is kitty-corner from the new library

Were people expecting it to be built with a station in the basement or something? How do you get closer than across the street?

This site probably couldn't have better access if it tried, not to mention provided an important additional East-West link that currently doesn't exist. Not only that, the link is a beautiful, well-thought design that can truly become a special place.

That local architect looked silly with his pro-Plus 15 commentary. Not every site needs a Plus 15. I would think that as an architect he would have some semblance of an idea around the negative repercussions on street-life and activity for such a site if you take people above grade.

I love that main architect was like "I lived in Norway for 20 years, it gets cold." Pretty diplomatic way to say suck it up imo.

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

Some renders that haven't been shown here on SSP yet

The lighting in the upper area is blowing me away.

New Central Library by Render Central, on Flickr


New Central Library by Render Central, on Flickr

New Central Library by Render Central, on Flickr

New Central Library by Render Central, on Flickr

Okay these have just sold me on it!!!! Now I'm getting excited!

[O-tacular]

[QUOTE=polishavenger;6718221]

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

Some renders that haven't been shown here on SSP yet

The lighting in the upper area is blowing me away.


The upper floor here seems very dungeonesque, crappy dank lighting and very low ceiling clearance, more like an old parkade than a welcoming public space.

??? Are we seeing the same picture? The open two level area is anything but cramped. Though the top floor in comparison does seem to have a lower ceiling. Not sure where the hate is coming from.