Functional Relationships and Matrices

3 Case Studies of Libraries ( work in progess)

Typology Questions

Which Building typology are you researching?

     I believe I am going to design a Library.

Why are you researching this building typology?

       I’m choosing a library for a few reasons and not just because it was an example. I started doing research on the history of that specific area of our site as part of the site analysis. I was intrigued about how the small section of Old Fulton Street between Furman and Hicks streets has so much history.

       I read the Fulton Ferry Historic District Designation Report (1977)from the Landmarks Preservation Commission and learned about the sites surrounding area.

      One of the existing buildings on our site is the landmarked Brooklyn City Railroad Company Building built in 1860. Many buildings on Old Fulton Street are over one hundred years old and still have historic value.

       I learned the eye catching two story white building on the corner of Old Fulton and Front streets is the Long Island Safe Deposit Company Building now Grimaldi’s Pizza. Built in an Italianate style, it is reported the facade is made completely of cast iron and has a granite foundation.

       Researching the history of this district and the buildings on Old Fulton Street was interesting and inspiring. For this reason, I want to design a library that wouldn’t draw attention away from this streets great views and facades, but rather compliments them. I feel a library

What is the specialty of this building type you would like to research i.e. museum for dance, school for digital media…

       I would like for the library to have something to do with Brooklyn’s history. I personally enjoy learning about the history of New York and its different historic districts. I would want to design a building that both fits into the context of the street and celebrates its history.

       The Library would probably be a typical public library with the general variety of books. If I can design more in depth into what kind of library, I would like it to have a historical aesthetic or look to it. I would also like if the library was to hold specific writings or records that are historically valuable to New York or Brooklyn.

What are the examples that you would be researching…list the examples, location and architect.

Austrian National Library, Hofburg Palace, Vienna, J.B. and J.E. Fischer von Erlach

Laurentian Library, Basilica di San Lorenzo, Florence, Michelangelo Buonarroti

Bilbliotheque Sainte-Genevieve, Paris, France, Henri Labrouste

The Old Library, Trinity College, Dublin, Thomas Burgh

Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts, McKim, Mead& White

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, Gordon Bunshaft

Musashino Art University Museum & Library, Tokyo, Sou Fujimoto

Battery Park City Library, New York, New York, 1100 Architect

Westmeath County Library, Mullingar, Ireland, Bucholz McEvoy Architects

Ingleside Branch Library, San Francisco, Fougeron Architecture

Anacostia Library, Washington D.C., the Freelon Group

Stockholm Library, Stockholm Sweden, Erik Gunnar Asplund

What are your goals for working with this building type?

       My goal for working with this building type would be to understand the significance of space within a library more. I began to think; why are libraries so important? Why does it matter what the room looks like around you when you’re staring into a book? What are places where books are stored some of the most beautiful places? Even though at first it seems that the aesthetic or the look of a library shouldn’t matter but it does. The style of the library can influence knowledge and inspiration. I always loved going to library when was a child and I want to make sure libraries are just as inviting for children as they were for me.

       There is also the debate whether technology and digital media and books as making printed text obsolete. I would want my library to have computers that access the internet, periodicals, and referenceto the library without taking away from the actual books. I believe that physical text is more historical and still important. There’s no computer that can physically flip the page for you. It is always interesting to flip to the back cover and look at the dates this book was taken out previously.

       I want my building to be as traditional and historical as possible but still be advanced in technology. It might be easier for someone to do research thought Google at home but I want to bring people back to the library and restore its academic integrity.

What are the program elements that you see included at this point in your building?

·         Courtyard and/or Atrium

·         Children’s area

·         Private study (cubicles or rooms)

·         Adult reading area

·         Bookstore

·         Periodicals Section

·         Multi-purpose event room

·         Computer lab