New Central Library | Construction - Page 34

suburbia · #**661** Posted **Dec 16, 2014, 5:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick.flood

Artist? What? That was done by the firm of Joshua Prince-Ramus who with Rem Koolhaas designed the Seattle Central Library.

Are you saying they don't have artists?

While I was speaking figuratively to a point, the reality is, whomever designed that really didn't understands the costs involved in executing. I'm happy we didn't pick that design as it would become like the Canadian Museum for Human Rights situation where the project gets you by the short and curlies and sinks funds we don't have. Also, looking at those images I'm not sure I'd like how that would work in our 6-8 months that are not conducive to outdoor events.

All projects need to have summer and winter renderings. There is a reason those renderings don't show the winter.

nick.flood · #**662** Posted **Dec 16, 2014, 5:54 PM**

delete

O-tacular · #**663** Posted **Dec 16, 2014, 5:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spring2008

One of the other finalists, did we miss out? I love the chosen building, but this one certainly has a better public realm element surrounding the building. Hopefully that part of the chosen NCL design improves.

http://www.designboom.com/architecture/rex-calgary-new-central-library-canada-12-15-2014/

Is that big building behind it meant to be city hall?

O-tacular · #**664** Posted **Dec 16, 2014, 6:00 PM**

I'm still happier with the design we got. This one almost reminds me of a brutalist structure but in glass. As for landscaping etc. I also really like the carved tunnel in our chosen design. Will achieve more connectivity to city hall without a massive plaza.

suburbia · #**665** Posted **Dec 16, 2014, 7:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Is that big building behind it meant to be city hall?

No - it is also part of the library ... just across from the full size hockey rink.

See their link:
http://www.designboom.com/architecture/rex-calgary-new-central-library-canada-12-15-2014/

This should help:
http://www.designboom.com/wp-content/upl...central-library-canada-designboom-06.jpg

Spring2008 · #**666** Posted **Dec 16, 2014, 8:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-tacular

I'm still happier with the design we got. This one almost reminds me of a brutalist structure but in glass. As for landscaping etc. I also really like the carved tunnel in our chosen design. Will achieve more connectivity to city hall without a massive plaza.

This other design is interesting but a bit too busy, and I do think that the building they chose is more representative of Cgy as the gateway to the Rockies. Also, not sure how practical those tiny floorplates the first few floors would be, doesn't seem too inviting. Though I think some of the exterior elements can be incorporated in a Olympic Plaza redevelopment.

ItsALondonThing · #**667** Posted **Dec 18, 2014, 2:36 PM**

What happens to the LRT line if 8 Ave Subway is built?

YYCguys · #**668** Posted **Dec 18, 2014, 3:18 PM**

Wow! I am impressed by this other design. If it had come to a vote, I would have picked that one! The outdoor realm is really inviting! A place the whole family can go and spend some time together doing a multitude of activities! The rendering also seems to have captured the problem of +15 vs street level access and incorporated both quite well in my opinion. One thing that I couldn't see in the rendering is how the LRT encapsulation was addressed.

Innersoul1 · #**669** Posted **Dec 18, 2014, 5:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by suburbia

No - it is also part of the library ... just across from the full size hockey rink.

See their link:
http://www.designboom.com/architecture/rex-calgary-new-central-library-canada-12-15-2014/

This should help:
http://www.designboom.com/wp-content/upl...central-library-canada-designboom-06.jpg

Thanks for the clarification. The multi-level tower makes this design a lot less appealing to me. It's just a bit too standard. The public realm is good but I also struggle with the year-round ice rink. It would appear that this design has a lot more square footage than the Snohetta one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by YYCguys

Wow! I am impressed by this other design. If it had come to a vote, I would have picked that one! The outdoor realm is really inviting! A place the whole family can go and spend some time together doing a multitude of activities! The rendering also seems to have captured the problem of +15 vs street level access and incorporated both quite well in my opinion. One thing that I couldn't see in the rendering is how the LRT encapsulation was addressed.

The question is: does the CPL want to be in the business of programming outdoor events. Is the idea that the activity in the public realm will be organic or what? I agree its a cool public space on the doorsteps of the EV.

Calgarian · #**670** Posted **Dec 18, 2014, 5:45 PM**

That proposal is cool, but the design we ended up with is much better!

mersar · #**671** Posted **Dec 18, 2014, 7:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItsALondonThing

What happens to the LRT line if 8 Ave Subway is built?

You mean 7th Avenue? Absolutely nothing changes except the number of trains running on it. The NE/W will still run down 7th.

googspecial · #**672** Posted **Dec 18, 2014, 7:53 PM**

I think what London meant was what happens to the LRT line that runs through the library once the NW-S line is separated from 7 ave... Likely the tunnel will remain so that trains can still switch lines, this already happens once (more? not sure) a day.

You Need A Thneed · #**673** Posted **Dec 18, 2014, 8:25 PM**

Lots of trains would still use that portal after the 8th Ave subway is built. Unless there is an exact balance of storage/maintenance vs in service needs (which is pretty much impossible and undesired), that portal will be used quite a few times a day.

ItsALondonThing · #**674** Posted **Dec 18, 2014, 11:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by googspecial

I think what London meant was what happens to the LRT line that runs through the library once the NW-S line is separated from 7 ave... Likely the tunnel will remain so that trains can still switch lines, this already happens once (more? not sure) a day.

Thank you yes, although I perhaps could have expressed that little a clearer. Bear with me I've not arrived in Calgary yet. The design for the library looks great, but I wondered about the LRT tunnel through it and thought it'd be a shame if it were to become redundant. It'll be interesting to see how connectivity between lines is designed for a subway under 8 Ave and street level on 7 Ave, for both trains and people. It could be good, but could be a mess.

craner · #**675** Posted **Dec 19, 2014, 1:23 AM**

God I get frustrated every time I hear this.

Why are we keeping a surface line after the subway is built. ??
Build the damn subway big enough for both lines and get them off the surface. If you 're going to do it, do it right.

Sorry for the rant - should have been in the transit thread I guess.

You Need A Thneed · #**676** Posted **Dec 19, 2014, 4:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by craner

God I get frustrated every time I hear this.

Why are we keeping a surface line after the subway is built. ??
Build the damn subway big enough for both lines and get them off the surface. If you 're going to do it, do it right.

Sorry for the rant - should have been in the transit thread I guess.

Becasue you turn 1 difficult connection to the existing track (8th Ave subway to NW line) into 3 difficult connections to the existing track. (Connection to West and NE).

That's a huge cost and hassle, and really doesn't provide much benefit.

*Stardust* · #**677** Posted **Dec 19, 2014, 6:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by craner

God I get frustrated every time I hear this.

Why are we keeping a surface line after the subway is built. ??
Build the damn subway big enough for both lines and get them off the surface. If you 're going to do it, do it right.

Sorry for the rant - should have been in the transit thread I guess.

I agree with you on this. We need to do it right the first time

SOSS · #**678** Posted **Dec 23, 2014, 12:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Stardust*

I agree with you on this. We need to do it right the first time

Possible if the tunnels are stacked. Otherwise I think the width of 8th limits that corridor to a pair of tracks.

milomilo · #**679** Posted **Dec 23, 2014, 2:02 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by craner

God I get frustrated every time I hear this.

Why are we keeping a surface line after the subway is built. ??
Build the damn subway big enough for both lines and get them off the surface. If you 're going to do it, do it right.

Sorry for the rant - should have been in the transit thread I guess.

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Stardust*

I agree with you on this. We need to do it right the first time

If we were to do this, two tunnels would probably be the better option. Staying interlined in a new tunnel would get you very little/no extra frequency.

McMurph · #**680** Posted **Dec 23, 2014, 2:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by craner

God I get frustrated every time I hear this.

Why are we keeping a surface line after the subway is built. ??
Build the damn subway big enough for both lines and get them off the surface. If you 're going to do it, do it right.

Sorry for the rant - should have been in the transit thread I guess.

I don't see any problem with keeping one line above ground on 7th. The free fare zone works much better at grade (much more conducive to hop-on / hop-off than an underground line) and the infrastructure is in place and works well. The problem with 7th is that its maximum capacity is less than what we need with the two lines. The problem is not that we need the road back for vehicular traffic. I trust CT on this one. Bury the 201, keep the 202 on 7th and bring the new line on 10th before swinging in perpendicular to both.

I do think it will be weird having that funky portal in the library when so few trains will pass through. Also, and apologies if this has already been answered, does the eventual 8th Ave tunnel plan envision a station under the municipal building? Are their provisions to tie it into the NCL at some stage?