cameron marshall
DESIGN THESIS KSU CAPD: 2015
I n t ro d u c t i o n
A Branch Library I n t h e s p r i n g o f 2 0 1 5 M i c h a e l G i b s o n ’s f i f t h y e a r architecture design studio [ADS8] was tasked with the design of a hypothetical branch library in southeastern Des M o i n e s, I o w a . O v e r t h e c o u r s e o f t h e s e m e s t e r t h e s t u d i o visited with and presented to the administration of the Des Moines Library System. The staff provided valuable insight into the mechanics of the Public Library and bettered our u n d e r s t a n d i n g D e s M o i n e s ’ v i s i o n f o r t h e f u t u r e. L i b r a r y Director Greg Heid shared indispensable design input and s u g g e s t e d e s s e n t i a l p r o g r a m m i n g n e e d s. D u r i n g o u r t i m e i n D e s M o i n e s w e w e r e a b l e t o t o u r a n u m b e r o f l i b r a r i e s, b o t h c e n t r a l a n d b r a n c h , m e e t w i t h l o c a l a r c h i t e c t s, a n d v i s i t p r o p o s e d s i t e s. I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e c o n s i d e r a b l e influence of the Des Moines Public Library System, the s t u d i o a l s o w o r k e d c l o s e l y w i t h A r c h i t e c t s f r o m B N I M ’s Kansas City office and toured the Lawrence Public Library a n d t h e To p e k a & S h a w n e e C o u n t y P u b l i c L i b r a r y. T h e a b o v e a n d a d e p t h o f r e s e a r c h o n D e s M o i n e s, L i b r a r y precedent, and literature on the evolving institution of the Library led to the following design proposal.
ADS8 Design Thesis 1
Thesis
Connecting the user to the entirety of human discussion, from the immediacy of the branch library and its local r e s o u r c e s, t o i d e a s, e v e n t s, a n d d i s c o u r s e o c c u r r i n g a t a global level; T h e m o d e r n L i b r a r y s h o u l d a c t a s a h u b o f c o n n e c t i v i t y, supplying its constituents with access to information a n d c o n v e r s a t i o n a t e v e r y l e v e l . Fr o m a c t i v e a n d p l a y f u l collaboration with peers to passive examination of the m e m e n t o s o f o u r f o r e f a t h e r s, t h e L i b r a r y c o n n e c t s i t s users to the thoughts and imaginations of mankind. It must connect beyond the recorded tangible text of the book, t o p h y s i c a l e x p l o r a t i o n s o f t h e i m m e d i a t e, a n d g l o b a l d i s c u s s i o n s o f o u r f u t u r e. T h e L i b r a r y i s t h e m e e t i n g p o i n t o f p l a y a n d s t u d y. A s a public amenity its ability to facilitate use hinges on its capacity to connect with community and cultivate a lasting r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h i t s u s e r. A s s u c h , i t r e q u i r e s t h e f r e e d o m to engage with its constituents in a continuous conversation o n t h e v a l u e s o f t h e t i m e s. I t s p h y s i c a l m a n i f e s t a t i o n s h o u l d thereby resemble its capricious nature in its freedom to a d a p t a n d r e s p o n d t o c h a n g i n g n e e d s. I t s e v o l u t i o n s h o u l d r e f l e c t t h e v a r y i n g v a l u e s o f a c o n n e c t e d c u l t u r e. I t s f u t u r e requires an adept and multifaceted program that responds to the scope of the human condition. It cannot remain
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shackled by its typological history as a programmatically narrow connection point between man and bound text. Its traditional typology reflects the dated values of a physically l i m i t e d a n d d i s c o n n e c t e d p r e - I n t e r n e t s o c i e t y. I n r e s p o n s e I propose a migration away from the traditional model of a Library system in which a limited collection of bound v o l u m e s ‘ f l o a t s ’ b e t w e e n b r a n c h e s, t o w a r d a c o n t e m p o r a r y model of centrally stored volumes and a cloud of virtual text.
design intention: to articulate the nexus of recreation and education in the modern era. d e s i g n r e s p o n s e : e x a m i n a t i o n o f t e c h n o l o g y ’s physical and nonphysical impact on the institution of the Library thesis: connectivity: redefining the Library as a m a n i f e s t a t i o n o f t o d a y ’s g l o b a l l y c o n n e c t e d c u l t u r e.
ADS8 Design Thesis 3
P ro g r a m m a t i c P ro p o s a l
A digital revolution; Central storage of the entire Des Moines collection frees the Branch Library from the physical and financial burden of maintaining perishable text. The Branch becomes a r e s p o n s e t o t h e n e e d s o f i t s c o m m u n i t y, d e f i n e d o n l y i n i t s c i v i c r e s p o n s i b i l i t y. S u c h a m o d e l p r o m o t e s e n h a n c e d engagement with each regional constituency; branches a r e f r e e t o a c t i n d i v i d u a l l y, v a r y i n g f r o m c o m m u n i t y t o c o m m u n i t y. The removal of bound text from the Branch does not refute the value of the physical book. Existing infrastructure for the transport of text between branches will allow for the daily delivery of pre-ordered volumes to their respective b r a n c h e s. T h e b r a n c h l i b r a r y b e c o m e s a p i c k u p p o i n t f o r the user to collect their requested text. A digital cloud of library resources provides the whole of the system with connection to an infinite collection b o u n d o n l y b y a c c e s s. L i m i t e d c o n n e c t i o n t o D e s M o i n e s full digital cloud on a restricted local network available o n l y a t p h y s i c a l l i b r a r y l o c a t i o n s m a i n t a i n s t h e L i b r a r y ’s a b i l i t y t o m o n i t o r u s e a n d s u s t a i n s v a l u e. I n t e r n e t a c c e s s to a browse-able and request-able list of physical titles w i l l b r i n g t h e L i b r a r y i n t o t h e h o m e s o f i t s c o m m u n i t y, c o n n e c t e d a t a l l h o u r s. Des Moines Branch Library 4
Each branch operates individually; a part of the system yet free to respond specifically to the needs of its constituents
ADS8 Design Thesis 5
P h y s i c a l P ro p o s a l
The built environment of the Library as a beacon of connectivity is rooted in the porosity of its material form. Its inherent yearning for connection places it – ideally – in harmony with the organic and unmolested abandon of n a t u r e. A n i n t r i n s i c a l l y c o n s t r u c t e d o b j e c t , t h e L i b r a r y a c t s as the incorporeal connection piece between the abstract and intangible intellect of man and his physical form. Its e x i s t e n c e i s t h e m a n i f e s t a t i o n o f o u r e m b o d i e d p r e s e n c e, connecting the ethereal thought with its organic root. Echoing its innate nature as a facilitator of dialogue and patron of inquisition the Library must meet the Earth in a p e r m e a b l e a n d h i g h l y t r a n s p a r e n t f a ç a d e. U n i n t e r r u p t e d sight lines through activate the building engage site and p r o m o t e o c c u p a n c y. T h e a c c e s s i b i l i t y a n d o p e n n e s s w i t h which the building greets its surroundings immerses the user in a playful conversation with the environment, b l u r r i n g f u r t h e r i t s a b s t r a c t p r e s e n c e. Elevated lightly above the porous public façade of the f i r s t l e v e l l i v e s i n t r o s p e c t i v e p r o g r a m o f s t u d y. T h e s e c o n d l e v e l e x i s t s i n c o n c e r t w i t h t h e f o r e s t c a n o p y, d i a p h a n o u s and withdrawn. A metaphorical connection piece between the physical and the cerebral. Its program is introverted. A p l a c e o f u n a b a s h e d i n q u i r y i t a n d i m p a s s i o n e d d i a l o g u e, it is physical space for thought. Distant from its immediate surroundings only in elevation, the second level is o b s e r v a n t a n d r e s p o n s i v e. Des Moines Branch Library 6
Analogous to the text within, the Library is the connection piece between mans’ ethereal thought and his physical form. As such its presence must reflect its nature: a highly connective civic amenity empathetic to both its physical and social s e t t i n g.
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Contextual Analysis
Site selection for the Southeastern branch of the Des Moines Public Library was left open to individual assessment. S u b s e q u e n t t o d e t a i l e d r e s e a r c h o n l o c a l c l i m a t e, c u l t u r e, h i s t o r y, a m e n i t i e s, a n d d e m o g r a p h i c s I c h o s e t h e s o u t h e r n i n t e r s e c t i o n o f E a s t M c K i n l e y a n d I n d i a n o l a Av e n u e. T h e site occupies the most heavily trafficked intersection of E w i n g Pa r k , t h e r e c r e a t i o n h e a r t o f g r o w i n g s o u t h e a s t D e s M o i n e s. E w i n g Pa r k c u r r e n t l y b o a s t s a h o s t o f r e c r e a t i o n a l a m e n i t i e s i n c l u d i n g : t w o d o g p a r k s, t h r e e p l a y g r o u n d s, t w o p i c n i c s h e l t e r s, a B M X p a r k , a b o x c a r d e r b y t r a c k , m i l e s o f m o u n t a i n b i k i n g t r a i l s, D e s M o i n e ’s p r e m i e r e i g h t e e n h o l e d i s c g o l f c o u r s e, t h e “ C h i l d r e n ’s Fo r e s t ” c o n s i s t i n g o f a hundreds of species well manicured regional flora, and a gorgeous lilac arboretum. Additionally the park is home to a massive and ever expanding network of regional bike t r a i l s. A civic gesture to its largely blue collar low income c o m m u n i t y, t h e l i b r a r y c e n t e r s t h e p l a y f u l l a n d s c a p e o f t h e p a r k . B u i l d i n g u p o n e x i s t i n g r e c r e a t i o n a l t i s s u e, t h e l i b r a r y a c t s a n e x u s o f c o n n e c t i o n a n d b e a c o n o f c i v i c d u t y. A v i s u a l s t o p p i n g p o i n t i n t h e i m m e n s e n a t u r a l l a n d s c a p e, the branch draws breath from its site and actively exhales i t s p r e s e n c e.
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Dog Park
Offstreet Parking
BMX Park rby ar De Box C
“Children’s Forest”
Bike
Path
Playground,Shelter,Restroom
Track
Disc Golf Course
Lilac Arboretum
Mountain Bike Trails
E w i n g Pa r k
ADS8 Design Thesis 9
Site
E m b e d d e d w i t h i n i t s p l a c e, t h e S o u t h e a s t e r n D e s M o i n e s B r a n c h L i b r a r y i s o r g a n i z e d o n a n e a s t t o w e s t a x i s. T h e building spans between the heavily trafficked Harry Piper B i k e Pa r k w a y a n d g r o w i n g I n d i a n o l a Av e n u e. D i r e c t l y t o the east of the Library I propose the addition of a single loaded linear parking lot running in parallel with the existing b i k e p a t h . To t h e s o u t h e a s t , c o n t i n u i n g a l o n g I n d i a n o l a Av e n u e, I p r o p o s e t h e a d d i t i o n o f a s e c o n d p a r k i n g l o t a n d drop off point with staff as well as handicap accessible p a r k i n g. B o t h l o t s, s i t e d w i t h i n t h e d e n s e l a n d s c a p e o f t h e “ C h i l d r e n ’s Fo r e s t ” , a r e l a r g e l y s h i e l d e d f r o m t h e v i e w o f the street. The parking supports not only the Library but also the larger context of the park and the eighteen hole disc golf course to the south.
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0’
16’
32’
64’
Site Plan
ADS8 Design Thesis 11
0
A the ground level the building meets site in a highly t r a n s p a r e n t a n d o r g a n i c f a c a d e. D e e p d o u b l e g l a z i n g wraps the lobby the space to the west. A single path on a x i s w i t h b u i l d i n g o r i e n t a t i o n c o n n e c t s e n t r y t o p a r k i n g. A large steel stair cascades from the second level, shielding the reference desk. A small display case showcases used b o o k s. A s y m b o l o f t h e L i b r a r y t h e p h y s i c a l t e x t e l i c i t s a t t e n t i o n i n t h e s p a r s e l y f u r n i s h e d v o l u m e. T h e p a r k c o n t i n u e s. Embedded within hill, a second volume incites occupation. Reflecting its position in the park, a public meeting room i s s o f t l y w r a p p e d i n d e e p d o u b l e g l a z i n g. T h e v i s u a l permeability of the space opens the sheltered volume to t h e a c t i v i t y o f t h e p a r k . To t h e s o u t h a n e g r e s s s t a i r, p u b l i c f a c i l i t i e s, a n d a k i t c h e n e t t e a r e i m m e r s e d i n t h e m a s s o f t h e h i l l . M e c h a n i c a l , s t o r a g e, a n d s e r v e r s p a c e s i t t o t h e e a s t , e n t i r e l y s e p a r a t e d f r o m t h e l i f e o f t h e i r s u r r o u n d i n g s.
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0’
8’
16’
32’
Ground Floor Plan
ADS8 Design Thesis 13
1
The upper level hosts primary library function. The building extends out to the west over the landscape of the park. T h e b u i l d i n g ’s e l e v a t i o n i s s h i e l d e d b y t h e v i s u a l d e n s i t y o f t h e f o r e s t c a n o p y. Building program acts a gradient of occupant age beginning in the west with adult program. The western most facade explodes outward into views through the park i n a l l d i r e c t i o n s. S t e p p i n g e a s t , a g l a s s e l e v a t o r p u n c t u r e s t h e n o r t h e r n f a c a d e. A s p a c i o u s s t a i r c a s e c a s c a d e s b e l o w. M a s s t a k e s f o r m o n t h e s o u t h e r n f a c a d e. I n i t s w e s t e r n t e r m i n u s, f l e x i b l e m e e t i n g s p a c e t r a n s i t i o n s i n t o s m a l l e r m e d i a l a b s a n d i s o l a t e d s t u d y b o o t h s. N o r t h , u n d e r t h e reflected light of an overhead skylight, teen program takes s h a p e. A massive egress stair anchors the midpoint of the b u i l d i n g. To i t s e a s t a r e p u b l i c f a c i l i t i e s. C o n t i n u i n g a l o n g t h e n o r t h e r n w a l l t e e n p r o g r a m t r a n s i t i o n s i n t o c h i l d r e n ’s. Flanked to the south sits library administration. The staff volume is capped on the west in a kitchenette and private bathroom. East of the large staff working space i s a s e r v i c e e l e v a t o r. M a s s i v e v o l u m e c o n c l u d e s i n a c o n f e r e n c e s p a c e h e l p i n g t o s h i e l d t h e e a s t e r n e n t r a n c e. A t t h e e n t r y, a r e f e r e n c e d e s k g r e e t s t h e u s e r e n t e r i n g f r o m I n d i a n o l a Av e n u e. V i e w s b a c k t h r o u g h t h e b u i l d i n g c o n t i n u e u n i n t e r r u p t e d , c u l m i n a t i n g i n f o r e s t c a n o p y. Des Moines Branch Library 14
A
B
C
D
E
0’
8’
16’
32’
First Floor Plan
ADS8 Design Thesis 15
A
Section A provides views to the west. At the ground level a m a j o r b i k e p a t h p a s s e s b e f o r e t h e b u i l d i n g. T h e p a r k flows through and around. High transparency encourages o c c u p a t i o n . L o b b y s p a c e, d o m i n a t e d b y a f l o w i n g s t e e l s t a i r c a s e, i n v i t e s t h e p e d e s t r i a n u p w a r d . A t t h e n e x t level an open and free plan accommodates the lounging occupant. Externally focused, the building embraces its l a n d s c a p e. T h e p a r k c o n t i n u e s.
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ADS8 Design Thesis 17
B
S e c t i o n B h i g h l i g h t s t h e L i b r a r y ’s o r g a n i c i n t e r f a c e w i t h t h e s i t e. A t t h e g r o u n d l e v e l t h e p a r k f l o w s f r e e l y. S i g h t lines are continuous and foster wanderlust. A public meeting room sits sheltered with expansive views to the north. Overhead, the building begins to focus inward. Adult program huddles along the northern wall as light washes i n f r o m t h e s k y l i g h t a b o v e. P r i m a r y c i r c u l a t i o n b i s e c t s t h e b u i l d i n g w i t h u n i n t e r r u p t e d v i e w s t o t h e e a s t e r n e n t r a n c e. A visually isolated mass takes shape on the southern facade; within lives introspective program. A flexible m e e t i n g s p a c e, w i t h f o c u s e d v i e w s t o t h e h o r i z o n p e e r s o u t o v e r i t s n a t u r a l s e t t i n g. T h e p a r k c o n t i n u e s.
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ADS8 Design Thesis 19
C
T h e h e a r t o f t h e b u i l d i n g. S e c t i o n C e x p r e s s e s t h e L i b r a r y ’s c o r e f u n c t i o n s. A t t h e g r o u n d l e v e l a p u b l i c m e e t i n g s p a c e i n h a l e s t h e a c t i v i t y o f t h e p a r k . A b o v e, t e e n p r o g r a m s i t s i n d u s t r i o u s l y. R e f l e c t e d l i g h t p o u r s d o w n t h e n o r t h e r n w a l l . To t h e s o u t h , a c l e r e s t o r y i l l u m i n a t e s p u b l i c f a c i l i t i e s. A h o r i z o n t a l o p e n i n g g l a n c e s a t t h e s u r r o u n d i n g l a n d s c a p e. T h e p a r k c o n t i n u e s.
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ADS8 Design Thesis 21
D
Increasingly introverted, Section D sits sheltered from its s u r r o u n d i n g s. C h i l d r e n p l a y, i l l u m i n a t e d b y s k y l i g h t , a n d t o t h e s o u t h L i b r a r y s t a f f w o r k d i l i g e n t l y, a f f o r d e d o n l y c o n c e n t r a t e d v i e w s o f t h e l a n d s c a p e. T h e p a r k c o n t i n u e s.
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ADS8 Design Thesis 23
E
Des Moines Branch Library 24
ADS8 Design Thesis 25
M e d i a Wa l l
Conspicuous connection; A mesh screen embedded with LEDs stretches the length of t h e b u i l d i n g. W h e n i l l u m i n a t e d , t h e p u b l i c f a c a d e t r i g g e r s v i s u a l d i a l o g u e w i t h t h e p a s s e r b y, a c t i v e l y a d v e r t i s i n g i t s p r e s e n c e. T h e l i t e r a l s c r e e n e n g a g e s o u t w a r d l y i n a c o n t i n u e d c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h i t s c o m m u n i t y. T h e n o r t h e r n lawn becomes an outdoor cinema, host to film or the local pastime
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ADS8 Design Thesis 27
Interior Vignette
The western wing of the Library expands outward, losing i t s e l f w i t h i n t h e c a n o p y o f t h e C h i l d r e n ’s Fo r e s t .
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ADS8 Design Thesis 29
East Entrance
Pe d e s t r i a n t r a f f i c f r o m I n d i a n o l a [ D e s M o i n e ’s m a j o r southeastern arterial] enters the library from the east and o n g r a d e. A p a r k i n g l o t t o t h e s o u t h p r o v i d e s h a n d i c a p p e d a c c e s s a n d f u n c t i o n s a s a d r o p o f f. C i r c u l a t i o n i n t o a n d through the building are ultimately terminated to the west with expansive views through the park.
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ADS8 Design Thesis 31
E n v i ro n m e n t a l R e s p o n s e
T h e E a s t / We s t o r i e n t a t i o n o f t h e L i b r a r y p r o v i d e s o p t i m a l d a y l i g h t i n g. T h e r o o f c a n t i l e v e r s t o t h e s o u t h s h a d i n g i n t h e o v e r h e a t e d s e a s o n . Ve r t i c a l f i n s p r o t e c t t h e w e s t e r n facade from the rays of the setting sun.
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Summer Solstice [72ยบ]
Overheated Season [60ยบ]
Winter Solstice [26ยบ]
ADS8 Design Thesis 33
Model
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ADS8 Design Thesis 35