New Central Library | Construction

[VIce]

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.

That's a lot of extra cost for very little extra benefit.

[lineman]

At the rate transportation projects get done in this city, I doubt we'll see an eighth ave subway in our lifetime.

[Blue_Cypress]

Originally Posted by lineman

At the rate transportation civil projects get done in this city, I doubt we'll see an eighth ave subway in our lifetime.

It'll take longer to build that library than it will to put up Brookfield. There is a management vacuum in the public sector. Risk-averse to the point of paralysis.

[Surrealplaces]

That's a great looking design...not sure which one I like better. If we had chosen this one, I can see myself feeling like we missed out on the other one.

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/

[WhipperSnapper]

I think there is a clear winner. As far as I know, the plan is to built a functional library and not some sculptural play zone adaptation with serious weight limitations.

[Calgarian]

I think we definitely got the better design with Snohetta. The one above looks cool but it doesn't look as functional and we don't need another large plaza space by city hall that will be overrun with vagrants.

[Surrealplaces]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

I think we definitely got the better design with Snohetta. The one above looks cool but it doesn't look as functional and we don't need another large plaza space by city hall that will be overrun with vagrants.

After comparing the two designs a few more times, I have to agree, I prefer the design they chose. The organic style is something you just don't see in many buildings, it's a unique massing that will be timeless IMO.

The other design has some cool aspects to it, but doesn't seem as functional, and its massing is less interesting.

[Tills13]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

I think there is a clear winner. As far as I know, the plan is to built a functional library and not some sculptural play zone adaptation with serious weight limitations.

For once, I think I agree with you.

The other one, while "neat" is a lot less practical than the Snohetta design.

[Chadillaccc]

Originally Posted by McMurph

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?

There's already a station roughed in under Olympic Plaza.

[Chadillaccc]

Looks like excavation has started.

[Jimby]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

There's already a station roughed in under Olympic Plaza.

No it's the city hall block.

[Chadillaccc]

No, there's actually a giant hole on the NCL site. I'll confirm with a photo tomorrow.

[Jimby]

The underground LRT station is under 7th avenue in the city hall block not Olympic Plaza.

[Chadillaccc]

Ohhh haha I didn't see the post you quoted

[DizzyEdge]

Yeah I believe they only roughed in two stations, Bankers Hall and City Hall?

[mersar]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Yeah I believe they only roughed in two stations, Bankers Hall and City Hall?

Only City Hall has anything resembling a station built. There have been rumors of bankers hall to varying degrees over the years but its not actually there, though the more likely rumor is that it was intended to be easy to build it beside and punch a hole through into the parkade

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by mersar

Only City Hall has anything resembling a station built. There have been rumors of bankers hall to varying degrees over the years but its not actually there, though the more likely rumor is that it was intended to be easy to build it beside and punch a hole through into the parkade

Bankers Hall auditorium is the station rough in.

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by suburbia

Bankers Hall auditorium is the station rough in.

That's what I had heard as well.

[s211]

Originally Posted by suburbia

Bankers Hall auditorium is the station rough in.

Not exactly. The lobby area just to the east of the auditorium is where the building would connect to a subway station entrance. There is no station rough-in within the Bankers Hall perimeter, from my prior experience with this project.

In short, there's a design allowance for what could then be a hallway connection to a station, but no rough-in for the station itself.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by s211

Not exactly. The lobby area just to the east of the auditorium is where the building would connect to a subway station entrance. There is no station rough-in within the Bankers Hall perimeter, from my prior experience with this project.

In short, there's a design allowance for what could then be a hallway connection to a station, but no rough-in for the station itself.

Interesting. Thanks for the clarification (IE station proper not roughed in).

Still, it seems there was work done such as to more easily allow for the station to be built and integrate with the existing building(s), so a small win / enabler.