BA Year 2 Semester 2: ‘Library of the Future

LIBRARY OF THE FUTURE

BA Year 2 Semester 2

‘Library of the Future’ was the title of my final unit in the Second Year of My Degree.

The brief I was given tasked me to ‘Design a Library fit for the 21st Century’.

Visiting a range of libraries across the UK, I realised that modern libraries offer more than just the ability to borrow books;

Casual Reading Spaces Quiet Reading Spaces Casual study areas Private study areas Children’s Playgrounds Performance Spaces ICT facilities Video Game Rental Urban Gardens Cafes Archives Help Desks Tourist Info Observation Decks

I also noticed the physical design of libraries has changed. Modern libraries appear to be becoming more open, and light - making the building feel more inviting. This makes the building a more attractive destination to a wider amount of people.

I decided that my library should embrace the trend of new modern libraries by being open and inviting.

However, I also decided that I wanted my building to blend into its surroundings; become a subtle, yet key part of the city.

To do this, I chose a site in the heart of Liverpool City Centre; a site which is largely empty - with the exception for an abandoned, lonely terrace building (shown above).

I wanted to encorporate that old building into my design; therefore retaining character of the area, yet breathing life back into this derelict spot of the city centre.

As shown above, I made that historic building the centrepiece of my

I wanted my design to be as ‘Open’ as possible.

Considering the findings from my research, I decided that the design would include landscaping the larger site - space which is currently vacant rubble.

I wanted the area to become a small ‘Oasis’, nestled between the buildings, hidden up the narrow lanes.

I wanted my building to be the centrepoint of the Oasis, yet I wanted the building to seamlessly become part of its surroundings.

To achieve this, I decided my ‘Open’ design would feature large, glazed portions of wall (images above), which could be entirely retracted - allowing air and daylight to flow through the design on every floor. At Ground level, people would also be able to flow from the ‘Oasis’ into the building.

The Courtyard could be viewed and accessed from any part of the building, regardless of what floor the visitor may be on - this allowed daylight to flow into all areas of the design, further fitting my ‘Open’design.

The Courtyard included water features, grassed areas, and extensive landscaping - plus at ground level, when the retractable walls were open, visitors could walk directly from the external Oasis into the Private Courtyard Garden.

The Rooftop terrace offers expansive views across the city, as well as quiet places to sit and read. The roof terrace covered the whole building.

Internally, my design was very varied, it included Show Spaces, Children’s Play Areas, Cafe Spaces, Formal and Informal Seating - and of course, bookshelves.

As well as the converted existing building, another entrance was proposed for the rear, I felt this was important, as it faces Moorfields Underground Station, the busiest train station in Liverpool, and at the time, was the 3rd busiest station in the North West.

Having an entrance at the front, and the rear, encourages people coming from Moorfields, to walk directly through my building and the ‘Oasis’, instead of walking around the block (which they currently have to do).