Harmonies of Learning and Creativity

The Savannah Public Library Center

Academic Work

Site: Historic Center, Savannah, Georgia. Spring 2022 - Professor Alfonzo Perez-Mendez.

The Savannah Public Library Center is a stunning 3-story, 30,000 sqft structure located in the bustling heart of downtown Savannah, Georgia. Its prime location within a National Historic Landmark area draws locals and tourists alike to explore the vast array of facilities it offers. The building boasts an impressive range of amenities, including a public forum for exhibitions and events, a bookshop, social spaces, a computer lab, a Genius Lab, an auditorium, a public computer education center, a language learning center, a children's library, public galleries, book collections, and a local business news center. The innovative design incorporates tectonic elements that provide visitors with abundant natural light and a deep appreciation for the surrounding natural beauty. The west-facing entrance, also The newly redeveloped historical plaza, establishes a seamless connection between the library's interior and the outside environment, resulting in an inspiring and welcoming space for all who enter.

My designed spaces prioritize using natural light as a critical element to create a comfortable and inspiring environment for the community to learn, investigate and explore their creativity. The location and position of the site, along with the apertures and the materiality of the building, were all carefully considered to maximize the amount of natural light that enters the space, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that encourages individuals to spend time in the library. The art and craft studios, with their own exhibition space, provide a platform for individuals to showcase their work.

Linear structure holding the curtain wall

Semi-transparent glass window with metal frame. Placed at an angle of 10° to take advantage of natural light, specifically at sunset towards the west.

Facade design

Roof

Doble Glass

Interior wall

Main columns holding the structure through the 3 floors

Floor Slab 5”, reinforced with steel beam

Main Entrance

1st Floor Plan

1 Lobby welcome, circulation desk, and exhibition

2 Cultural Café

3 Children Library

4 Public Forum

5 New Business Center

2nd Floor Plan

6 Group study rooms

7 Gemius and computer lab

8 Services area and Mechanical space

9 Auditorium

10 Library common

3rd Floor Plan

11 Music center

12 Individual Study rooms

13 Art and Crafts

14 Book collections

15

Despite being traditionally associated with silence, this project incorporating music into the library encourages the community to invest their time in positive rather than harmful activities. Music is a universal language that has the power to connect people and inspire new ways of thinking, communicating, and expressing emotions. The success of my design is glaring by the Arnold public library in Chicago, which also incorporates a music center within the library, demonstrating the effectiveness of this innovative approach in creating an environment that fosters learning and creativity in the community.