Week Five & Six :: Project Two

Learning Centre Exemplar Analysis


Seattle Library [Rem Koolhaas]


- Main challenge with this site is the 8.8m height difference between the boundaries on two different streets.

- “Although the library is sculptural, it is not in any way an attempt to make a form. The library’s appearance comes from pushing boxes around to stay within the height and setback restrictions and zoning codes”. – Architect Joshua Ramus, partner at the Rem Koolhaas Office for Metroplitan Architecture. 

Source: http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Seattle_Public_Library.html

- Spatial organisation -     is the most important and defining feature of this library.

-     Each platform is flexible in it’s function but still defined and organised into “spatial compartments” with specific functions.

-     One of the first operations when reforming the library was to consolidate all the spaces and define platforms according to a more specific purpose; this included defining their size, level of flexibility, circulation palette and structure amongst other things.

-     The spaces between the platforms are the intermediate spaces; as you move from one functional space to another.  

Source: http://www.archdaily.com/11651/seattle-central-library-oma-lmn/

Reflection:

The design of this library, at first, appears to be based on the architect Rem Koolhaus’ ideas and experiments with sculptural form. Instead; however, this library is about efficiency of space and organisation. There is a big emphasis placed on the collaboration of the library resources and the time spent organising the “platforms” of the library around the most ergonomic and resourceful use of every space within the building. The library’s form itself was developed in response to maximising its size according to regulations, height restrictions and setbacks. I think the shear scale of the building and the number and prestige of the resources it houses make it hard for me to look to this building for direct ideas and inspiration for my library at the Wharves. I can; however, appreciate its organisational system in the sense that platforms are broken up to serve specific functions and different spaces within these platforms serve further functions.