Library leaders and Building Committee members have been working closely with King and King Architects to make sure the new library is as beautiful as it is functional. Working with the staff, the architects have defined the functional areas of the building to good effect.
The building is designed to orient to the south so that the passive solar gain will provide free heating, lighting and views for all to enjoy. A clerestory high in the rafters will light the back half of the building during the day, and contains operable windows to draw fresh air into the building when the temperature is moderate thus mitigating the heating and cooling costs for the building.. Green spaces, bushes and trees will help to keep the air cooler around the building resulting in lower energy costs. High R-value insulation in the walls and roof will also make the library as energy efficient as possible.
Native vegetation around the building will aid in reducing storm water runoff, and be easy to care for as well. It will also help shield the building from the summer sun, while allowing the sunshine to enter during winter months helping to warm the space. Great care is being taken in this design to make the building beautiful from every angle. The side facing Main Street is filled with large windows, and the entrance, although located on the south side of the building, is angled so that it, too, faces Main Street. The detailing on the building is such that it will be attractive from every direction.
Nearly all the features asked for by the community will be present. The building will be fully accessible, all on one level, with larger meeting rooms, wonderful sitting areas, and space for the collection to grow. There will be more computers, and wi-fi access throughout the building. It will be comfortable, and filled with light in the daytime, and well lit by lamps when the sun is not shining. There will be enough parking for regular users, and for programs.
The inside of the building will be as beautiful as the outside, and will function smoothly for all the varied uses modern libraries fill. The planning is for flexibility, so that as the needs of the community change, the library can change to meet those needs, with a minimum of further expense and fuss.
With all of this being said, I should note that nothing has been set in stone, ideas are still being gathered, and even our final design, submitted to the Albion Planning Board in June, is subject to change as needed. Stay tuned to this blog and the website for updates.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
New Building
I'm so happy that we are moving forward on our new library project. We've gone from painstaking progress with studies and surveys to purchasing the Dale's property and hiring an architect! The architectural team from King and King architects, out of Syracuse, selected by the Building Committee and endorsed by the Swan Library Board has done many projects--and many types of projects. Kirk Narburgh, the lead architect in our meetings so far, is an Albion native, and is eager to do a new library in his home town. The other team members are also anxious to do a good job for us, and were happy to learn the suggestions from Board, Staff, and Project volunteers at our first meeting.
The message that we all wanted a very functional building, that at the same time is very energy efficient was not lost on the architects. Some ideas came out of that meeting that may help us to do just that.
Back when this project was just a dream, I read somewhere that envisioning the project in as much detail as possible would help the idea to become concrete, and help bring it to fruition. So ever since then, I have been building the idea of this new library in my mind--what we need, what the members of the community want, and what will minimize the ongoing costs to the community in the future. All of these things have become part of our shared vision.
This site--the very best in the Village to put a new library, is the basis for this shared vision. At this spot we will become a bridge between the historic Downtown and the new businesses on South Main Street, and a gateway to the historic district. Close enough to our present site so people who use the bike path by the canal, and those who are boating the canal, can still come in to check their e-mail, and message their friends about where they are, this site also is great for those who are accustomed to walking to the library. At the same time, people who have been frustrated in their desire to use the library because of the lack of close parking, the imposing steps, and the heavy front door, will find far easier access to the library than ever before.
This will be a building where, when you walk in, all parts of the library will be visible to you. The "new book" shelves will be large enough to hold more than a month's worth of new books, the circulation desk will accomodate more than one check-out station, the children's library, the meeting room and the local history section will be obvious destinations when you walk in the door--not hidden on separate floors and cramped alcoves. There will be places for tutors to meet with students without disturbing others browsing the shelves. Computer access to the collection and for internet browsers will be immediately available, and wireless access will be throughout the library.
I can hardly wait! But, we have a long way to go--please be patient with us--there's still a lot to do!
The message that we all wanted a very functional building, that at the same time is very energy efficient was not lost on the architects. Some ideas came out of that meeting that may help us to do just that.
Back when this project was just a dream, I read somewhere that envisioning the project in as much detail as possible would help the idea to become concrete, and help bring it to fruition. So ever since then, I have been building the idea of this new library in my mind--what we need, what the members of the community want, and what will minimize the ongoing costs to the community in the future. All of these things have become part of our shared vision.
This site--the very best in the Village to put a new library, is the basis for this shared vision. At this spot we will become a bridge between the historic Downtown and the new businesses on South Main Street, and a gateway to the historic district. Close enough to our present site so people who use the bike path by the canal, and those who are boating the canal, can still come in to check their e-mail, and message their friends about where they are, this site also is great for those who are accustomed to walking to the library. At the same time, people who have been frustrated in their desire to use the library because of the lack of close parking, the imposing steps, and the heavy front door, will find far easier access to the library than ever before.
This will be a building where, when you walk in, all parts of the library will be visible to you. The "new book" shelves will be large enough to hold more than a month's worth of new books, the circulation desk will accomodate more than one check-out station, the children's library, the meeting room and the local history section will be obvious destinations when you walk in the door--not hidden on separate floors and cramped alcoves. There will be places for tutors to meet with students without disturbing others browsing the shelves. Computer access to the collection and for internet browsers will be immediately available, and wireless access will be throughout the library.
I can hardly wait! But, we have a long way to go--please be patient with us--there's still a lot to do!
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