Library by Design: Design Institute Atlanta Report: Space Shaping
LJ's Design Institute Atlanta focuses on flexibility, sustainability, and usability Sep 15, 2010On April 30, 2010, over 100 librarians and library board members knocked heads with notable architects and vendors at the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System's (AFPLS) Central Library for LJ's Design Institute (DI), a daylong seminar on sustainable building and design that had previously been hosted at urban libraries in New York, Connecticut, Virginia, Illinois, California, and Texas.
Libraries' changing size, shape, and feel
The downturn in the economy, advancements in technology, and changing learning behaviors, concurred DI panelists, are all influencing how our libraries are being redesigned and built.
"We're starting to see libraries that can't sustain themselves because of the funding issue," said James Mumby of Fanning Howey, an architecture and engineering firm, "so we're thinking more about downsizing and being more mission-focused."
| PEACHTREE ST. PLANNING 1. Marcel Breuer's Bauhaus-influenced Central Library building was not only the host location for the daylong DI agenda but also one of the design challenges. 2. Chris Frantz (l.) and Lucas Fanning from Brodart Contract Furniture offered up valuable info to attendees. 3. David Evans (l.) from Kennesaw State University, GA, and David R. Moore II from Craig Gaulden Davis took in ideas during the university's Sturgis Library challenge session. 4. Dan Meehan (l.) and Peter Bolek (c.) from Holzheimer Bolek + Meehan | Architects converse with AFPL director John Szabo. 5. Eustis Chair's Fred Eustis (r.) had attendees get hands-on with wood samples. 6. Lighting options from LucaLight were on display for the crowd. 7. Creating sustainable buildings was the topic of one of the panels, moderated by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Mid-Hudson Library System, NY. 8. Engaging the audience on the subject were (l.-r.) Emory University Library's Charles Forrest, Rick McCarthy (PSA-Dewberry), Dennis Humphries (Humphries Poli Architects), and David Moore. 9. James Mumby (Fanning Howey), Malcolm Holzman (Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture), and Pam Sandlian Smith, Rangeview Library District, CO, lit up the Design Futures panel, and (10) Joe Frueh from Agati Furniture addressed both sustainability and changing needs at the vendor panel. Shaping space was an actual activity during some of the challenge sessions, including Emory University's movable floor plan (11) and Live Oak PL's LEGO-based modular planning (12). PSA-Dewberry's Denelle C. Wrightson shared new ideas for AFPL's Central Library (13), and (14) Tracy Petrella (standing, l.) and James Mumby (r.) from Fanning Howey led a lively session on Saint Louis University. 15. Janet Nelson and David Kinley from DEMCO Library Interiors showcased new designs, (16) Steve Nygren from Serenbe shared sustainable living ideas, and (17) the gallery in the Central Library's lower level provided a colorful backdrop to the end-of-day cocktail and networking hour. Photos 1, 2, 4, and 12 by Kevin Henegan; photo 11 by Rebecca Miller; all other photos ©Annette Brown/Getty Images |
Panelists generally encouraged attendees to view media stations, video conferencing, and virtual networking as opportunities to break down traditional concepts of classroom and study space.
"Today it might be laptops, tomorrow smartphones, then something totally different," said Peter Bolek of Holzheimer Bolek + Meehan | Architects. "You really don't know where technology is going, so flexibility is key."
John Szabo, director, AFPLS, added that while librarians should certainly have flexibility in mind when renovating or building, they should also "be cognizant that people come to the library with varying skills and technologies."
Another important consideration is retaining a library's identity. "You can design flexible buildings," said Malcolm Holzman of Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture, "but they can carry traditional elements—you don't want to be walking into an airport."
Green is a given and an agent of change
Green considerations—which David R. Moore II of Craig Gaulden Davis said are "almost in the DNA of what architects do"—are impacting the look of libraries as well.
"We used to design more square footprints," said Rick McCarthy of PSA-Dewberry. "Now, we're making them more rectangular to use as much natural light as we can, and we're installing smaller, more efficient mechanical systems."
Dennis Humphries of Humphries Poli Architects noted that such measures increase a library's "humaneness value," while Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, coordinator for library growth and sustainability, Mid-Hudson Library System, NY, proposed that green buildings can serve as models "to show users what can happen in their own homes."
Charles Forrest, director, library facilities, Emory University, Atlanta, agreed: "In building green," he said, "we have the opportunity to position the library as an agent of change, as a demonstration."
Echoing this emphasis on user experience was the day's takeaway theme: libraries are increasingly being designed and built with their inhabitants, not so much their content, in mind.
"We [recently] designed our space around the people and their activities, and then the books had to fit around that," said Pam Sandlian Smith, director, Rangeview Library District, Adams County, CO. "In the past, the reverse was true."
A day of brainstorming and idea sharing
Of the 32 AFPLS branches, 25 are slated for renovation or expansion, and there are plans for the construction of eight new libraries. The Central Library itself was the subject of one of the day's six breakout sessions based on design challenges submitted by DI attendees and led by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)–accredited architects from each of the aforementioned sponsor firms. (Read coverage of the breakout sessions.)
In addition to the breakout sessions, the day's events included panels on the future of library spaces and best practices in sustainable design; a vendor presentation and product showcase; a lunch headlined by Steve Nygren, who comanages a local 900-acre environmentally conscious community named Serenbe; and a networking reception.
DI Atlanta Online
To learn more about DI Atlanta's sponsors and partners, visit www.libraryjournal.com/designinstituteGA. For coverage of LJ's previous Design Institute, held at Dallas Public Library in December 2009, visit bit.ly/atpgFw (for a general overview) and bit.ly/d4h1rt (for coverage of the individual design challenges). Additional online resources relating to DI Dallas and its predecessor, DI Arlington, can be found at www.libraryjournal.com/goingreendallas.
The Sponsors
Special thanks to our sponsors for their generous support of and participation in LJ's Design Institute
ARCHITECTS
Craig Gaulden Davis
David R. Moore II, Vice President
dmoore@cgdarch.com;
864-242-0761
www.cgdarch.com
Fanning Howey
James Mumby, Principal
jmumby@fhai.com;
248-848-0123
www.fhai.com
Holzheimer Bolek + Meehan | Architects
Peter Bolek, Principal
pbolek@hbmarchitects.com;
440-247-9800
www.hbmarchitects.com
Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture
Sara Francini, Director,
Business Development
sfrancini@holzmanmoss.com;
212-465-0808
www.holzmanmoss.com
Humphries Poli Architects
Dennis Humphries, Principal
dhumphries@hparch.com;
303-607-0040
www.hparch.com
PSA-Dewberry
Denelle C. Wrightson,
Director, Library Architecture
dwrightson@dewberry.com;
469-232-5245
www.psadewberry.com
VENDORS
Agati Furniture
Tina Campbell, Marketing Manager
tcampbell@agati.com; 312-829-1977
www.agati.com
Brodart Contract Furniture
Chris Frantz, Director,
Marketing and Sales
chris.frantz@brodart.com;
888-521-1884
www.brodartfurniture.com
DEMCO Library Interiors
Janet Nelson, Director,
Business Development
janetn@demco.com;
608-241-1201
www.demcointeriors.com
Eustis Chair
Fred Eustis, President
fred@eustischair.com;
978-827-3103
www.eustischair.com
LucaLight
Ryan Sherman, President
ryan@inside-llc.com;
888-582-2544
www.lucalight.com
Spacesaver Corporation
Sarah Ostermeier, Marketing
Communications Specialist
sostermeier@spacesaver.com;
920-563-0740
www.spacesaver.com
Tech Logic
Gary W. Kirk,
Executive Director
gkirk@tech-logic.com
404-451-8530;
www.tech-logic.com
COSPONSORS
Atlanta-Fulton
Public Library System
www.af.public.lib.ga.us
404-730-1700
Lyrasis
www.lyrasis.org
Atlanta office: 800-999-8558
Philadelphia office: 800-233-3401
| Author Information |
| Raya Kuzyk is Media Editor, LJ |
