Halifax Central Library | 27 m | 6 fl | Completed

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by counterfactual

I can imagine a time that there will be skyscrapers all down Queen's street.

Just say no to drugs.

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Just say no to drugs.

I agree, no Shoppers Drug Mart for street level retail, either.

Let's think bigger.

[IanWatson]

The other day AllNS reported that the library had 1.9 million visits in its first year! They had predicted that they would get 900k visits the first year.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

The other day AllNS reported that the library had 1.9 million visits in its first year! They had predicted that they would get 900k visits the first year.

That is just the same 100 people going in and out 19000 times.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

That is just the same 100 people going in and out 19000 times.

Those who like it... like it a lot!

[IanWatson]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

That is just the same 100 people going in and out 19000 times.

Maybe. Maybe not. But it is getting well used by somebody.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

Maybe. Maybe not. But it is getting well used by somebody.

Sure is. It's been really busy every time I've been there.

[portapetey]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

The other day AllNS reported that the library had 1.9 million visits in its first year! They had predicted that they would get 900k visits the first year.

A herald article describing this outcome:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1...-in-first-year

[Keith P.]

I wonder if Queen Åsa will now begin the process of refurnishing the palatial library with Ikea products? Seems inevitable.

[Hali87]

I'm actually curious as to where the furniture in the library was sourced from. Ikea is actually a plausible guess.

Sourcing from local manufacturers would have been interesting, and would have benefited the local economy more, although could have been a more expensive option (economies of scale and such). I have a feeling this isn't what happened though because that kind of thing tends to get a lot of press coverage. Possible that it was announced and I missed it.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Hali87

I'm actually curious as to where the furniture in the library was sourced from. Ikea is actually a plausible guess.

Sourcing from local manufacturers would have been interesting, and would have benefited the local economy more, although could have been a more expensive option (economies of scale and such). I have a feeling this isn't what happened though because that kind of thing tends to get a lot of press coverage. Possible that it was announced and I missed it.

I feel pretty safe in saying there is virtually no local product in the library. They even had to bring in the architects from Denmark, so it is likely the avant-garde furniture is imported too.

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by Hali87

I'm actually curious as to where the furniture in the library was sourced from. Ikea is actually a plausible guess.

Sourcing from local manufacturers would have been interesting, and would have benefited the local economy more, although could have been a more expensive option (economies of scale and such). I have a feeling this isn't what happened though because that kind of thing tends to get a lot of press coverage. Possible that it was announced and I missed it.

Yes, but there was a budget too. Guessing sourcing locally probably too expensive, let's be honest. So, fewer pieces, likely worse off.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Jonovision

I found myself thinking while I was sitting in the living room that a lot of the views of the citadel would be blocked once the building across the street is developed. I have a feeling that this issue will come up in the public discourse around that redevelopment once it gets going.

Good call, Jono.

[Jonovision]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Good call, Jono.

Thanks!

[OldDartmouthMark]

From the CH:
Halifax library wins top architecture prize

Haligonians can claim a small share of a national architecture prize announced Thursday.

The Halifax Central Library, designed by Fowler Bauld & Mitchell of Halifax, has been named one of a dozen winners of the Governor General’s Medal in Architecture.

The selection panel from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts gave high marks to the architects for inviting citizens to help shape the form and function of the new library.

“The jury commends the process of early user engagement that led to the design,” jurors said on the RAIC website.

“The public’s embrace of the building is a testament to its value.”

The library has attracted twice the number of visitors expected since it opened.

Winners of the Governor General’s Medals reflect a range of building types and variety of design approaches from a Taoist temple in Markham, Ont. to an eight-storey sustainable wooden office tower in Prince George, B.C.

[Hali87]

Halifax library named in top 10 list of most beautiful libraries on Earth

[lawsond]

Originally Posted by Hali87

Halifax library named in top 10 list of most beautiful libraries on Earth

That's on the entire earth - the only inhabited planet we know of. Our library is 9th. I know Keith will never be convinced but somewhere down deep, he must have a sense of civic pride that trumps bean counting.

[portapetey]

One of the most beautiful on Earth? Really?

I'm far from Keith's complete disdain for the library, but I also can't seem to see what the big deal is about the thing. It's squat and boxy and the orange is cool and the turned floors are a bit out of the ordinary for Halifax, but overall I still find it kind of boring.

I don't get it.

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by portapetey

One of the most beautiful on Earth? Really?

I'm far from Keith's complete disdain for the library, but I also can't seem to see what the big deal is about the thing. It's squat and boxy and the orange is cool and the turned floors are a bit out of the ordinary for Halifax, but overall I still find it kind of boring.

I don't get it.

Huh? Dude, really?

I think it's easily the most beautiful library in Canada. The only one that presently rivals it is the Toronto Reference Library; but Halifax is far nicer.

It's actually something you'd more likely find in Europe, where they take this stuff seriously, hence the Danish designers.

And the outside patio on the roof, with the cafe, is the cherry on top. Just an absolutely brilliant and beautiful design, which gives users an entirely new perspective on the city and the surrounding landscape.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by Hali87

Halifax library named in top 10 list of most beautiful libraries on Earth

Very impressive.

I haven't seen it in person yet but visitors to Halifax have given it high marks on tripadvisor - https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractio...va_Scotia.html