OF
LIBRARY BENCH
Kar Hei Francis
CONTENT. Intro. Library & Museum general AEIOU comparison
500s Early form: scriptorium, monastery encouraged reading, learning and exploration. the Great Library of Alexandria (300bc), a public library open to those with the proper scholarly and literary qualifications, was founded and set a model for other libraries
Mediaval Library
Early 1400s
English Gothic, Bodleian Library Featuring its 3 generations of chairs Hereford Cathedral chained library 1900s university library (anonymous)
Governmental & street library Little Library Project
Wood joint exercise P2
1600-1700s 1800-1900s Contemporary
INTRO.
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As support to our bench idea development for the Dr. Sun Yat Sin museum, this booklet collects inspiring samples of (public) library benches from different era and personal analysis, reflectioninsights of which are based on the 4 levels of user-product experience model. Apart from the likeliness in nature of the two bench types, what draws them closer to each other is the fact that both facilities are facing similar problems and in need of creative solutions. Internet makes information so highly accessible that people nowadays are overwhelmed with it, thus changing their habit of learning, receiving and perceiving information.
Number of visitors to “traditional“ educational public spaces such as libraries and museums are sliding, even government budget is cut down seems that public interests towards education and information are decreasing, at least, more passively concerned. User-centered concerns that help develop attractive and popular interior and product design are then brought to light as the key of revival.
Image and text info from: Survivor: The History of the Library http://www.history-magazine.com/libraries.html
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Environment enccourages openness --> liberation of mind Storage mostly for prints and (digital) media products Equal emphasis on object storage and user activity area Users take a more active role as they look for materials they want and can interact with, even bring away them
LIBRARY+ Both a library and museum:
is a public space, facility
- gathers people from all walks of life (even the homeless)
is zoned clearly and intentionally
- to facilitate smooth running of different activties at the same time
is designed for learning (user) and information acquirement - much storage and interactive space
MUSEUM+ Environment gives hint to activity sequence, users’ discipline Storage for more diverse objects (instead of paper, media only) Emphasis on showcase area Users are more passive, as receivers of info while most of the time are kept distant from exhibits P4
EARLY 1400s Gutenberg’s movable type innovation
- printed books replaced handwritten manuscripts and were placed on open shelves.
Active development of aristocrat private libraries as basis of later university, national libraries - especially with the contribution from personal donations While it officially opened to scholars in the 17th century, the collection truly began with Thomas Cobham, Bishop of Worcester, in 1320. At the time, all of the books were chained to the wall to prevent theft. It was 1602 when it was refitted and re-opened as “the Bodlelian Library“ with donations frrom Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, and Thomas Bodley.
ENGLISH GOTHIC,
Bodleian Library, Oxford University "Libraries then didn't have the luxury of chairs," says Fletcher, keeper of special collections at the Bodleian Library in Oxford. In medieval times, people would take the book out from a book room, then to the cloister to read. It's only in the post-medieval period that people started to read while sitting in the book rooms. The Bodleian Library rooms were always furnished with either raised reading lecterns – to study manuscripts standing up – or low wooden benches fixed to the bookshelves, to which the precious volumes were chained. It was not until the mid-18th century that the radical idea of the chair was introduced.
Image and text info from: The Bodleian Library https://itotd.com/ articles/341/the-bodleian-library/ The Bodleian – the medieval library that became a ‘Harry Potter’ set http://www.historyrevealed. com/article/culture/bodleian-%E2%80%93%C2%A0-medieval-library-became-harry-potter-set
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3 GENERATIONS of CHAIRS Bodleian Library, Oxford University
The very first Bodleian Chair, designed in 1756.
Balanced and steady appearance with a combination of curves and regular stright line patterns form harmonious setting with the environment. Round edges on and curves formed by the backrest and seat fit human bodies but the user may feel uncomfortable after longer while since 1) width of armrest leaves little space between the body only 2) very fixed shape of back seat, allowing very limited movement and tolerant spaces 3) tough but not friendly enough material i.e. hardwood accumalates body weight, thus cause pain at bottom and hips
Leather-clad bucket chairs provides users with inviting comfortable sitting and echoes with the traditional elegant library environment. The height fits well with the desks as shown in the picture, fulfilling the fuctionability requirement. Still, its heaviness and bulkiness pose negative impacts onto both appearance and practicality. The action of pulling causes squeaky sound and friction with the floor and probably inconvenience to readers nearby. Much spaces are needed for storage, creating a more cramped environment, at least visually when viewed from behind. It is wholly satisfactory, usable but not creative and interactive.
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The 2nd generation of Bodleian Chair, from 1936.
Image and text info from: Three designers compete to make ‘chair of chairs for the library of libraries’ https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/sep/13/bodleian-library-oxford-chair-design-competition Oxford Debuts A Library Chair To Last For Centuries https://www.fastcodesign.com/3019559/oxford-debuts-alibrary-chair-to-last-for-centuries?partner=rss
Highly functional
- the chair physically fits the environment well with wide and tall enough armrest to be on the same level with the Bodleian’s reading desks. Meanwhile, its low, round-backed seats does not only ergonomically fit a human body, but also offer an appropriate angle for fragile books laid on foam supports so that book spines are not under great friction, thus prone to damages. too.
The latest Bodleian Chair, designed by Barber and Osgerby in 2013.
Effective design that provides users more flexible use of the chair.
The curved backrest and armrest structure allow the reader to pivot and use the full width of the desk, and the armrests can also be used for notebooks or tablets. The chair is also engineered to tilt slightly, “enabling the reader to maintain a better posture whilst leaning over books.” said by designers Barber and Osgerby.
Aesthetically-pleasing with overall balanced and simple proportion. Low-profile and convincing design with durable, warm i.e. oak and soft material i.e. leather, making it visually light, friendly and inviting to sit on.
Facilitates comfortable private quiet reading experience
- as seen from behind, with a single straight spine that joins a continuous curving arm rest to its similarly-shaped rail base on the floor, the rows of chairs appear to form a line of little rooms around the readers, defining a series of individual territories from the floor to the desk. That solid rail down under is also engineered to reduce the vibration created when moving the furniture, thus improved the stability of it so that it is silent in use.
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1600-1700s Devlopment of public & new forms of libraries
- as university developed in addition to the appearance of national, state-supported collections E.g. first free lending libraries in the American Colonies, subscription libraries, where member dues paid for book purchases and borrowing privileges were free
CHAINED LIBRARY, Hereford Cathedral, UK
Built in 1394, the Hereford library is the largest surviving chained library with its chains and books intact. Dated from 1611, it was used by scholars and the clergy as a reference centre for religious study and church law. The precious collection includes the Hereford Gospels from the 8th century and one of only four copies of the 1217 Magna Carta in remarkably fine condition.
s fixed to Low wooden benche
bookshelves Image and text info from: Mappa Mundi The Ultimate Medieval Map Hereford England http://travel-wonders. com/2011/12/06/mappa-mundi-the-ultimate-medieval-map-hereford-england/ Medieval library with chained books gets annual clean http://www.bbc.com/news/ uk-england-hereford-worcester-16528446 Hereford Cathedral Chained Library https://www.atlasobscura. com/places/hereford-cathedral-chained-library
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There may be an intentional sacrifice of product comfort for functionality: leaving a wider gap for standing users and walking pass from one end to another of the bench.
Topped by a lathe-turned circular knob, this long back-to-back oak Gothic bench is meant to be used along with the lectern in front to place the chained books. However, the distance etween the bench and lectern is so far that reveals the shallowness of seats which probably barely reach users’ thigh and only supports their bottom. Another source of discomfort comes from the back-to-back thin wall feature that may cause inconvenience when users on both sides easily touch each other, especially when it is only of mid-length. Such a long bench also prevents users from moving around easily, basically their movement is constrained to only horizontal ones.
Wood joints- mortise and tenon used.
On the whole, if compared to it used in a modern context which mostly emphasizes flexibility and comfort, this bench is barely appropriate, but when considering it used in the mediaval and present tourism context, which involves much fewer users at one time, it works well as expected, functional and reliable. P9
On the left is illustration of chained libraries in the Biblioteca Laurentiana, Florence, on the Vatican Library of Sixtus IV. These lists of books are actually common features which are attached to the side of shelves to protect the valuable chained collections from being moved around frequently, thus potetial fractures. Image and text info from:
Book-desks and reader’s seats in other chained libraries P10
http://www.sphericalimages.com/hereford_cathedral_virtual_tour/
1800-1900s Libraries began to widely spread throughout nations - waves of immigration and the philosophy of free public education for children contributed to spread of public libraries in the US: >1,700 public libraries built in the states in 40 years’ time England: Public Library Act passed in 1850
ADVANCED TECH 1900s University Library
More efficient production technology
Image and text info from: RARE ANTIQUE WOOD LIBRARY REVERSIBLE BENCH METAL FLIP BACK 8.5’ft 1900s FREESHIP http:// vi.vipr.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayISAPI. dll?ViewItemDescV4&item=1526 04032729&t=1498695038000&t id=10&category=63556&seller=eachproject&excSoj=1&excTrk=1&lsite=0&ittenable=false&domain=ebay.com&descgauge=1&cspheader=1&oneClk=1&secureDesc=0
From the producer’s point of view, this bench is an easier product to manufacture, especially when compared to previous one in the 1600-1700s due to cleverer choice of materials and design. The use of metal as connection between parts such as the bar and nails provide strong and stable support. While using wood bars instead of 1 single piece of polished wood to form the slightly curved surface shows also improvement in manufacturing technology, which creates simple pattern at the same time. P11
“The use of metal as connection between parts such as the bar and nails provide strong and stable support. “
Flexible usage with flippable structure and ergonomic design Allowing users to interact more with the product and environment, though still within the restricted area and type of movement, this furniture is more humanistic in several ways. First of all, the gentle curve of bottom and back seat fits a human body better than just the natural flat straight wood piece, faclitating a more comfortable sitting experience. It can be observed that designer deliberately deformed the piece while making good use of its tough and durable properties to generate the new form.
Attempting for proficiency but not convenient/ fully user-friendly Secondly, the flippable back face enables users to sit either side in front or in back when waiting. This sounds interesting and may be more convenient for adapting to a change in context. However, the action itself may not be friendly and easy enough due to heavy weight of the back seat, especially when it is supported by metal bar and nails. The flipping may even hurt the uer him/herself if not done properly. This part of the furniture is not ergonomically fitting according to human behaviour. P12
Contemporary Selected as one of the 8 unique national librairies in the world by famous architect Eric Baldwin at architizer.com, this library is made as a landform architecture that aims to link school and lake areas with living zones through an abstracted mountain volume.
Library & Information Center National Taitung University, Taiwan
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Learning Commons in the National Taitung University library
Mental and physical comfort given Its calm, refreshing grey and green colour combination, together with soft cushioning highlighted by the light colour, enchoes harmoniously with the mountain/ naturethemed building environment. On the next page the picture shows the scene when two benches are placed within the same area, it looks like surreal mountains surrounding users in the middle. In addition to its comfy inviting appearence in the learning commons where discussion is encouraged, the bench gives users more mental privacy as if boundaries are drawn.
Carlton Room Divider, 1981
https://paddle8.com/work/ettore-sottsass/66397-carlton-room-divider
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Image and text info from: 這座大學圖書館名列世界8大 還附有 親子書房 https://udn.com/news/story/3/2360508 Temples of Knowledge: 8 Unique National Libraries Across the World https://architizer.com/blog/national-libraries/ Chat Travieso personal website http://www.chattravieso.com/index. php?/architecture/word-play/
Modern library needs: Creative space-centred multifunctional “bench“
Rather than approaching user- centred design by focusing on traditional ergonomic body-fitting design, the large bench promotes interaction between users and environment. Its existence does not only acts as a sitting bench, but also an installation, or functional decoration that divides space by drawing boundaries of different discussion/ reading zones as mentioned. Meanwhile, this represents a very significant added value of modern library as a hub of knowledge and exchange of ideas, where several learning activities (instead of reading only) happen at the same time in the same building.
WORD PLAY by Chat Travieso, Little Library Project/ NYC
Little Free Library/NYC was a design/ build competition in which ten designers were chosen to install a Little Free Library in collaboration with a host community organization in the Lower East Side. Little Free Libraries are small publicly accessible book shelters that function on an honor system of “take a book, return a book. P15
Functioning as street library: hacking multifunctional “bench“
Including a shelf on the bench makes it more than just a sitting platform, but also for storage and community gathering. The structure of it i.e. hacking on exisiting street furniture, the fence in this case, allows easier set up and even facilitates the spread of such kind of street libraries due to simple procedures needed. Such a strategically beneficial outdoor location at the East River also further enhances the potential usage of it as similar to a park bench.
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Aesthetics challenge: Stacking & perspective
The piece, done in collaboration with the community organization the Two Bridges Neighborhood Council, uses layered plywood to allude to the vertical patterns produced by books on a bookshelf, creating multiple visual effects based on the angle one views the library.
Socially-engaged : Inclusive and inviting design
Located in a diverse community made up of English, Spanish, and Chinese speakers, this visual effect allows the library to convey the message “LIBRARY” (printed on the surface of the piece) in these three languages all at once. By doing so, “Word Play” seeks to capture the multi-cultural character of the neighborhood. This actually interestingly plays a contrast to the meaning to the fence it is hung onto, which usually is set to keep men and enviornment apart. This bench design integrates well with the context and promotes harmony on top of it. P17
Wood joint exercise
With a defined purpose, ideally for the group bench project, explore and create a type of wood joint.
3-WAY JOINT KAWAI TSUGITE
In this case, I am hoping to explore Japanese joints which are famous for being “smart and beautiful“ and would be best learning prototype, even by only trying to make one.
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1st ATTEMPT lightly interlocked as a straight joint but still failed to lock in 3 ways.
IMPROVEMENT: Try with dencer wood and precisioncutting tools - tbc. However, considering its practicality or chances to be applied, this joint may not be of much reference value. Its best quality is the flexibility and interchangeability, which are less commonly needed as normally, a joint is supposed to hold wood together tightly in place.
Next attempt will probably be on curved features such as those traditional Chinese round chairs. I like its smooth surface and high potential of application to form more intricate shapes.
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THANKS
Kar Hei Francis
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