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Building Integration - Project 6.0 - Seattle Public Library - Ben Larsen

Architects conceived the new Central Library building as a celebration of books. They also worked to make the library inviting to the public, rather than stuffy. New functions include automatic book sorting and conveyance, self-checkout for patrons, and over 400 public computer terminals.

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Ben Larsen
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2K views12 pages

Building Integration - Project 6.0 - Seattle Public Library - Ben Larsen

Architects conceived the new Central Library building as a celebration of books. They also worked to make the library inviting to the public, rather than stuffy. New functions include automatic book sorting and conveyance, self-checkout for patrons, and over 400 public computer terminals.

Uploaded by

Ben Larsen
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Office for Metropolitan Acga@iiec. (OMA) & LMN Architects BRAC HITECT... 1 362,987 square feet..... opened may 23, 2004 The architects conceived the new Central Library building as a celebration of books, deciding after some research that despite the arrival of the 21st century and the “digital age,” people still respond to books printed on paper. The architects also worked to make the library inviting to the public, rather than stufly, which they discovered was the popular perception of libraries as a whole. Although the library is an unusual shape from the outside, the architects' philosophy was to let the building's required functions dictate what it should look like, rather than imposing @ structure making the functions conform to that. For example, a major section of the building is the "Books Spiral," (designed to display the library's nonfiction collection without breaking up the Dewey Decimal System classification onto different floors or sections). The collection spirals up through four stories on a continuous series of shelves. This allows patrons to peruse the entire collection without using stairs or traveling to a different part of the building. Other intemal features include; the Microsoft Auditorium on the ground floor, the "Living Room" on the third floor (designed as a space for patrons to read), the Charles Simonyi Mixing Chamber {a version of a reference desk that provides interdisciplinary staff help for patrons who want to have questions answered or do tesearch), and the Betty Jane Narver Reading Room on level 10 (with views of Elliott Bay). New functions include automatic book sorting and conveyance, self-checkout for patrons, pervasive wireless communications among the library staff, and over 400 public computer terminals. SEATILE, WASHINGTON STEEL CO! 2 design intentions SEATILE, WASHINGTON j PERIMETER PLATFORM TRUSSES Ss SLOPING STEEL COLUMNS SCL required the invention of now kinds of structural systems. Two separate, layered structural systems were developed. Multi- story-deep perimeter platform trusses supported by carefully positioned sloping columns that maximize counterbalancing opportunities carry the building's gravity loads. The platforms cantilever as much as 52 feet and in some cases, are cantilevered on all four sides. 3 structural concept

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