Canadian Library Thread - Page 3

esquire · #41 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 4:31 PM**

The Vancouver library is the gold standard for public libraries in Canada... I remember visiting in the late 90s when it was new and it blew me away that something so amazing could be built for the benefit of the public.

Vancouver crushes it when it comes to libraries in general... I also remember visiting the spectactular Koerner Library at UBC around that time and was similarly impressed. It was the complete opposite of the dumpy University of Manitoba libraries that I was used to.

O-tacular · #42 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 4:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hali87

One thing I really like about the Halifax Central Library is that it was designed from the beginning to integrate the day's technology to offer opportunities that might not otherwise be available to the public. The library has a fairly well-equipped recording studio that anyone can use for free to record and edit music or things like podcasts, as well as a green screen for film and video shoots, and 3D printers. Recently they've also set up little "light therapy" stations which seem to be well-used. Several of the meeting rooms have kitchenettes and so they can also offer cooking classes there. Do the other major libraries have stuff like this as well?

A list of their studio equipment:

Source

The new Calgary central library also offers recording studio and media space. Not sure about greenscreen though.

Mister F · #43 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 4:58 PM**

Ah yes, the Vancouver public library, made to look like the Coliseum in Rome. Got to love the symbolism of modelling a place of learning and education after a place where slaves and criminals were murdered to amuse the mob. Up next, a university inspired by Auschwitz!

All sarcasm aside, why was that library patterned after the Coliseum?

J.OT13 · #44 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 4:58 PM**

The University of Ottawa's library (Morrisett Hall) is a brutalist bunker in the middle of campus.

http://wikimapia.org/35775/Morisset-Library

Carelton Uviersity's Macodrum Library was recently re-done by Diamond and Schmitt, the same architects as the proposed new OPL central branch.

https://library.carleton.ca/about/support-the-library

This is what it looked like before renos.

https://apt613.ca/hidden-gems-the-ne...y-at-carleton/

Calgarian · #45 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 5:04 PM**

What's the view like from the room in the big cantilevered part in Halifax?

J.OT13 · #46 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 5:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-tacular

The more I look at it the less I like the interior. It looks very dated. Like they tried to do the wood atrium thing in the Calgary library's central lobby but just applied it to a 90's design. Also the support columns holding up the ceiling remind me of an airport. Feels very mediocre for a 'signature' library.

I see your point. I think the idea of the support columns might have been to make them look like trees (to honour the region's pulp and paper history). The wavy roof/ceiling is also very airport-esque and the arched ceiling/skylights in the middle has a very late 20th century (70s to 90s) feel, kind of like the Eaton Centre or O'Hare Airport.

It's not going to have the spectacular public spaces as Vancouver or the flashy architecture of Calgary, but it will still be a great addition to Ottawa in an area that sorely needs an anchor for future development.

O-tacular · #47 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 5:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

The University of Ottawa's library (Morrisett Hall) is a brutalist bunker in the middle of campus.

http://wikimapia.org/35775/Morisset-Library

Carelton Uviersity's Macodrum Library was recently re-done by Diamond and Schmitt, the same architects as the proposed new OPL central branch.

https://library.carleton.ca/about/support-the-library

This is what it looked like before renos.

https://apt613.ca/hidden-gems-the-ne...y-at-carleton/

Wow. They covered up what was the main architectural statement with a generic suburban office facade.

O-tacular · #48 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 5:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I see your point. I think the idea of the support columns might have been to make them look like trees (to honour the region's pulp and paper history). The wavy roof/ceiling is also very airport-esque and the arched ceiling/skylights in the middle has a very late 20th century (70s to 90s) feel, kind of like the Eaton Centre or O'Hare Airport.

It's not going to have the spectacular public spaces as Vancouver or the flashy architecture of Calgary, but it will still be a great addition to Ottawa in an area that sorely needs an anchor for future development.

I think if they eliminated those arches in the ceiling and incorporated some clean white lines mixed with the wood it would feel more contemporary. It doesn't feel retro, just outdated as it is now. Overall I still think it's decent but some small changes would really improve it imo.

Edit: The other very dated element is the reddish tile / pattern on the elevator. I would ditch that completely.

someone123 · #49 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 5:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

What's the view like from the room in the big cantilevered part in Halifax?

It is not very high up but it has nice views and it's a "public living room" type of space.

Source

When the library was first planned if I remember correctly they were going to put offices on this upper floor but the plans were modified to give it over to public use. There is a rooftop patio as well. It feels like it was designed to give as much as possible over to the public.

The building was definitely a success in that it added a lot of public amenities the city didn't have before and is used by a lot of people. I find it is a bit hyped as an architectural masterpiece or major public building. It was built at a comparatively modest cost of $60M or so; the city has spent more of its own money on some single suburban hockey rink projects. Hopefully it's a stepping stone on the way to Halifax getting some more ambitious modern public buildings and spaces.

Chadillaccc · #50 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 6:05 PM**

Yeah when I was saying it might be one of the top three libraries when finished in the other thread, I was thinking of Vancouver and Calgary Libraries as easily and interchangeably first and second place. Love the Vancouver Library, integrates so well into the fabric, and it's "grand" as great libraries should be.

I do love the Calgary Library of course. It has everything a library needs to be successful into the 21st century, including free Chromebook rental (robotic laptop vending machine thingy), a large indoor playground area and a lego area for kids, a 300-seat lecture hall/theatre, a great reading room, virtual reality experience space... and a bunch of other shit I'm blanking on

Also has a cafe with frontage on the street, and another one inside the building. Their coconut milk latte is

Central Entrance by Chadillaccc, on Flickr

http://www.dialogdesign.ca/open-dial...rary-complete/

http://katrinaolson.ca/calgary-central-library-opens/

https://calgaryplaygroundreview.com/...rning-centres/

https://www.evexperience.com/central-library

https://arcspace.com/feature/calgary-central-library/

https://www.evexperience.com/central-library

https://arcspace.com/feature/calgary-central-library/

stevanford1 · #51 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 6:18 PM**

That last pic Chad posted was on the cover of Canadian Architect Magazine!

J.OT13 · #52 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 6:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevanford1

That last pic Chad posted was on the cover of Canadian Architect Magazine!

The contrast between the historic brick buildings and the massive modern glass library is amazing.

JHikka · #53 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 6:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

The University of Ottawa's library (Morrisett Hall) is a brutalist bunker in the middle of campus.

Morrisett is definitely brutalist but I wouldn't call it a bunker. The views on the upper floors are very nice.

Calgarian · #54 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 6:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by someone123

It is not very high up but it has nice views and it's a "public living room" type of space.

Source

When the library was first planned if I remember correctly they were going to put offices on this upper floor but the plans were modified to give it over to public use. There is a rooftop patio as well. It feels like it was designed to give as much as possible over to the public.

The building was definitely a success in that it added a lot of public amenities the city didn't have before and is used by a lot of people. I find it is a bit hyped as an architectural masterpiece or major public building. It was built at a comparatively modest cost of $60M or so; the city has spent more of its own money on some single suburban hockey rink projects. Hopefully it's a stepping stone on the way to Halifax getting some more ambitious modern public buildings and spaces.

Kind of reminds me of this space a little bit, but right in the corner where it's mostly clear glass.
[QUOTE=Chadillaccc;8810503]

This one

MonkeyRonin · #55 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 7:16 PM**

My local branch is quite lovely:

Toronto by Marcanadian, on Flickr

These are are my favourites though (none of which are part of the Toronto Public Library system unfortunately) - Osgoode Hall Library:

osgoode hall library by Mohammed Alosaimi, on Flickr

Watching the Detectives by beyond the prism photography, on Flickr

Scott Library at York U:

Scott Library, York University, Toronto by Thomas Guignard, on Flickr

Scott Library & Scott Religious Centre, York University, Toronto Ontario by Greg's Southern Ontario (catching Up Slowly), on Flickr

Robarts / Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at UofT:

The Concrete Fortress by Randy Hoffmann, on Flickr

Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library by dtstuff9, on Flickr

MonkeyRonin · #56 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 7:25 PM**

I know it's been mentioned already, but the interior of the Toronto Reference Library is stunning as well:

Toronto Reference Library by Matt Wiebe, on Flickr

_1079984 by Paul, on Flickr

The exterior is pretty drab though.

Toronto Reference Library .... Toronto, Ontario by Greg's Southern Ontario (catching Up Slowly), on Flickr

J.OT13 · #57 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 7:28 PM**

The Toronto Reference Library is a strange beast; the interior is a stunning example of 70s architecture, but the exterior looks like a plain 80s or early 90s institutional building. Maybe an arena?

stevanford1 · #58 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 7:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

The Toronto Reference Library is a strange beast; the interior is a stunning example of 70s architecture, but the exterior looks like a plain 80s or early 90s institutional building. Maybe an arena?

I've always called the outside "The Transformer"

Chadillaccc · #59 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 7:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

The Toronto Reference Library is a strange beast; the interior is a stunning example of 70s architecture, but the exterior looks like a plain 80s or early 90s institutional building. Maybe an arena?

It could be a stand-in for Copps Coliseum in a movie about Hamilton not filmed in Hamilton

J.OT13 · #60 Posted **Jan 24, 2020, 7:36 PM**

Library of Parliament. Construction started in 1859 and it was completed in 1876. It survived the 1916 fire that destroyed the original Centre Block, however fire damaged the library in 1952.

Restoration was completed in 2006, but I believe it will remain closed while the Centre Block is undergoing rehabilitation over the next decade.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gorbould/4236433496/

https://www.cbc.ca/sevenwonders/wond...parliment.html