Canadian Library Thread
 

With recent library projects in Halifax and Calgary, I'm surprised we don't already have a dedicated thread for Canadian Libraries.

The design for the new Ottawa Central Library/Library and Archives Canada joint facility has been revealed. Design by Diamond and Schmitt Architects. Expected to open in 2024.

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https://twitter.com/TimTierney/statu...04776032186368

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https://twitter.com/JimWatsonOttawa/...04457135136769

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https://twitter.com/LibraryArchives/...07164889636871

I love me a huge central library. When I was living full time in both Edmonton and Calgary I would always visit the main branch a few days a week. That was until the homeless really took over Stanley A Milner and made it a very awkward experience for anyone actually trying to sit and quietly read there. Now I just order everything online to a smaller branch and pick it up at home.

As for Edmonton's reno? Into the #ThinkTank ? Well...

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Great idea for a thread !!

:tup:

This thing? Soooo jealous of Calgary and the great warm womb atrium.

https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/20...364_col_14.jpg

Photo from Dezeen.com

Looks promising. More conventional than Calgary or Halifax’s libraries but still solid.

That looks like a rendering but it’s totally real. The wood work in the central library is next level. It’s one of the coolest buildings I’ve been in and that includes obvious architectural highlights from Europe and NYC.

https://i.cbc.ca/1.5217133.156348442...er-library.jpg

Photo: CBC.CA

And in the grand Edmonton tradition of project management, it's behind schedule and over-budget...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmon...rary-1.5396888

One of the worst facelifts for any building in recent memory. Almost deserves a thread of its own.

Edmonton under Stephen Mandel and later Don Iveson hired largely Danish architects with an obsession with metal to design a series of libraries around the city. Here is my local branch, Highlands... https://www.shl.dk/wp-content/upload...w-1170x555.jpg

Credit: https://www.shl.dk/highlands-branch-library/

The odd design was needed to preserve the rather tall tree which was planted by Queen Elizabeth II herself during some trip to the city...

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Credit: https://www.shl.dk/highlands-branch-library/

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Credit: https://thedesignconcept.co.uk/proje...anada/pr/16054

Yup. Edmonton also loves to bait and switch the public with fanciful renderings of designs it has no hope in hell of actually completing as is. Instead we get the child-like value engineered version of everything that looks almost always NOTHING like the final product...

And yes calling the reno the worst project in the cities history is a common statement no matter which side of the political divide you are on. Short of Tesla Cybertruck fans, it's U-G-L-Y and without a proper alibi!

Here is what the original design was when it opened in 1967 until the closure in 2016. All photos from epl.ca

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The ultra mid-century modernist interior and floor to ceiling glass was beautiful before it was over designed and over-renovated in the 1990's into a chopped up dump of specialty zones.. Yes it needed modernization but it would have been much better off just to renovate and restore its austere brilliance..

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The Highlands library is fine because of its small scale.

The Millenium Falcon monstrosity in the centre of the city is absolutely horrid!! Metal siding is fine in moderation, but this is :yuck:

I feel really bad for Edmontonians. That thing will dominate one of the most prominent spots downtown for decades to come.

The Toronto Reference Library.

• Video Link

The street level interface in that first render leaves a bit to be desired, but all in all it looks great!

This one looks great! Love how green and leafy that Elm tree is too!

I agree. I hope they work on that aspect.

Saskatoon is jumping on the library bandwagon, with $133M in funding for a new central library approved in November.

Site acquisition is underway with the future downtown location being announced in the next 6 months.

Unveiling of design is probably 2 years away.

Opening 2026.

Already 16 posts in and no mention of the grandaddy of celebrity libraries, Safdie's Central Branch in Vancouver?

[IMG]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d4816061_o.jpgvpl by whatnextyvr, on Flickr[/IMG]
Credit: Vancouver Sun

We definitely should. It's the holy grail for successful public library/urban integration with its glorious indoor/outdoor courtyard with birds... Last time I was in town I literally spent the afternoon touring the building because I was/still obsessed with the work of Moshe Safdie...

Best library in the country, one of the best in the world!