AUSTIN | Main Public Library | 123 FEET | 6 FLOORS | COMPLETE

[the Genral]

[dphogan]

A few pictures I snapped today while inside the new library. Lot of architectural features that are coming together and going to look very nice once completed.

Looking at the ceiling from the first floor of the 6 story atrium


3rd floor looking down on the staircase going in


3rd floor looking east


3rd floor looking west in the atrium


6th floor floating walkway


6th floor, north side of the building looking west


Ground floor looking up again

[the Genral]

Quite elaborite, should be amazing when completed, whenever that will be. Fantastic view to the east.

[drummer]

Looks great. Also very MC Escher-like, which isn't a bad thing. I like it.

[Urbannizer]

#NewCentralLibrary - Exterior - March 2016 by Austin Public Library, on Flickr

#NewCentralLibrary - Interior - March 2016 by Austin Public Library, on Flickr

#NewCentralLibrary - Interior - March 2016 by Austin Public Library, on Flickr

#NewCentralLibrary - Interior - March 2016 by Austin Public Library, on Flickr

#NewCentralLibrary - Interior - March 2016 by Austin Public Library, on Flickr

[OtherKevin]

[the Genral]

I love how the library, the landscaping along the creek, and the bridge give that whole area a connected look. Looks amazing. What a transformation!

[corvairkeith]

[KevinFromTexas]

Nice pics. I'm really looking forward to visiting that area - especially the library to check out some of the views.

[ivanwolf]

Originally Posted by corvairkeith

Wait so looking at this pic the bridge on the right looks narrower than the road leading up to it? Is this a one lane bridge? That just seems really weird. I could only see that maybe the road area on the right is for parking and two lanes could still fit on the bridge maybe.

[Jdawgboy]

Yea that right side is for parking plus one westbound lane. Eastbound has no parking. It will be 2 way across the bridge.

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Nice pics. I'm really looking forward to visiting that area - especially the library to check out some of the views.

And maybe a book or two? I'm so far removed from visiting libraries that I don't even know if that's an option anymore. So someone please enlighten me on what one can do here. Because of the beauty of this building and the surrounding area, its certainly going to be a gathering spot. The bridge does seem pretty narrow, but I'm assuming the road leading to and from wasn't meant to carry too much traffic. Imagine how amazing this area is going to be when the dust settles, including the Seaholm intake project. I wonder if there is room to plant cypress trees around the substation?

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by the Genral

And maybe a book or two? I'm so far removed from visiting libraries that I don't even know if that's an option anymore. So someone please enlighten me on what one can do here. Because of the beauty of this building and the surrounding area, its certainly going to be a gathering spot. The bridge does seem pretty narrow, but I'm assuming the road leading to and from wasn't meant to carry too much traffic. Imagine how amazing this area is going to be when the dust settles, including the Seaholm intake project. I wonder if there is room to plant cypress trees around the substation?

Oh, yes, books. I think they're still a thing. I actually read a bunch of sci-fi classics last year, but I haven't had time to read much this year. Libraries have free internet access, btw. Several years ago when our computer quit on us, I was relying on the library every other day for my internet fix.

[drummer]

I don't think books will ever go away. I think that they'll still be around for generations to come. However, I do think that what we're seeing is a trend to a hybrid of books and digital content in libraries, schools, and even home collections. I have TONS of books...in America. They're in boxes in Texas because I wanted to save on weight when I moved around the world. The vast majority of my books that I purchase now are on Kindle, and I have a fairly large collection that has come over the last five years or so. That said, I still much prefer a book in my hands.

I think libraries will especially be a reference source when it comes to real books (i.e., not digital form...those are still "real" in the sense that they communicate information on one subject or another). The ways that they'll continue to thrive is as a resource for the community - internet (as Kevin said), programs for children, adults, etc., and much more in the way of serving as an archive for the community in various ways. Libraries are hugely important beyond just checking out books to the public.

[Speculator]

Either the image on page 28 is wrong or somebody is going to have to pull down the siding on the NE corner and flip it around. Or perhaps Library is meant to be spelled yrarbiL with each character reversed?

http://www.austinlibrary.com/downloa...2015_Jan28.pdf

[corvairkeith]

[the Genral]

Why is the word 'HIP' on the side to the right just above the awning? Or is it 'IHIP'? I won't be able to look at this building again without seeing 'IHIP'. It is now and will forever be, the 'IHIP Library.
On another note, it just seems to me this has taken incredibly long time to get to this point.

[oberthewhat]

Originally Posted by the Genral

Why is the word 'HIP' on the side to the right just above the awning? Or is it 'IHIP'? I won't be able to look at this building again without seeing 'IHIP'. It is now and will forever be, the 'IHIP Library.
On another note, it just seems to me this has taken incredibly long time to get to this point.

wow... gotta say, that was tough. I see it but i might never see it again. I'm excited to explore this library!

[the Genral]

Hmmmm, maybe its just HP, maybe Hensel Phelps snuck his initials in Flato's design...

[Urbannizer]

#NewCentralLibrary - Exterior - August 2016 by Austin Public Library, on Flickr