Quote:
Originally Posted by High Street
I wonder about the cost of demolishing and building on the existing site versus renovating the Cornwall space. I am not sure there is anything they can do for the exterior to make the building look architecturally significant (like say the Vancouver library).
On the other hand, maybe a modern library with lecture and a movie space is a good enough goal. I am torn on this one, I think the city needs a morale boost and a former department store isn't going to do it.
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I think there's an opportunity here to have something that completes the Cornwall St vista from Victoria Park, and animates that segment of 11 Av a bit better. As is, the solid wall doesn't help all that much (photos from Google Maps):
I wonder if it's feasible to simply glass box that facade, which would bring in some much needed natural light into the existing space. Ever since the upper floor got converted to office space, there's much less natural light coming in via the skylights. A glassed reading space all along the 2nd floor along 11 Av would have great views of the Canada Life building and down the street.
Halifax library comes to mind, with a relatively simple flat glass front overlooking a plaza, and the floors inside connected with stairs and bridges criss crossing within (photos from
https://www.architecturalrecord.com/...tral-library):
With lighting, a simple glass fronted box works well
The way the existing stone juts out over the entrance on 11 Av at Cornwall St might lend well to some staggering exactly like this
There's already a central open space for the escalators and where the central cashiers used to be, perhaps the floor could be cut away for more light from the skylights, and bridges added like this
And as less floor space is dedicated for book stacks, opening up the area makes sense
A reading area could run along 11 Av facing the Canada Life building and having a vista towards the old post office/city hall/Globe Theatre
Unlikely that the back of the space towards Sask Dr could be opened up for windows like along 11 Av, but that could serve as a performance area or film theatre like this