Thesis Booklet-Research

SDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDPLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPS D P U B L I C L I B R A R YA N D R E W P W R I G H Tc a l | p o l y | p o m o n as e n i o r | p r o j e c t 2010

s a n d i e g o l i b r a r y | a b s t r a c ti

a b s t r a c t

It has become quite clear that the traditional setting and uses of the common library

have changed dramatically over the past couple of decades. The library used to be a place

where one would go to study, find certain literary documents, or even just to visit in one’s lei-

sure time. In the not so distant past, libraries were considered to be the heart of most cities

as well as educational institutions, and are known as facilities that keep record of our known

human civilization. Obviously these are very important aspects to any society, and to invest in

what are cultural institutions filled with knowledge, wisdom and a world of possibilities, is only

the most logical and most sensible decision any person can make.

The architectural design process of the library has morphed over the last century,

always with a strong input from library users, librarians, civic officials, and architects, but

always with a heavy concentration on the exterior representation of such an institution. With

new architectural expressions and features that have come out of this process through many

different library projects, there has been a change in the functions and values of the public

library, almost always initiated by the forms of its built environment. Even though these have

been positive steps towards finding the new purpose of the modern day library, it is now time

for the process to go beyond this step, allowing for the institution to reasses, reconsider or

reaffirm what its values are as an institutional identity. The physical embodiment of the public

library should reflect the ideas and values that the contemporary library has established. This

is a critical and vital point in pur society, especially since the large urban centers that are

increasing exponentially are becoming increasingly commercialized. The library in many city

centers is the last universally accessible public space left for a large portion of the populat-

ion. The public library was once a vital public institution, and we must as a society bring that

same relevance back to one of our cultural cornerstones.

Today, libraries have changed in that they are more dynamic with the introduction

of digital media, and a substantial amount of this information is now available to anyone on

their private computers. Even though having all this information is useful, there is still a need

to train the average user on how to acquire and analyze the information found in libraries, and

what better place to do this than at the source. Libraries in our modern society need to take

on new functions as well as adapting old ones. At the same time, there is a materiality to cer-

tain media and experiences that just cannot be evolved into the digital environment, and the

quality and respect of these artifacts need to be kept intact. Despite all of the facts and data a

library has and maintains, the library still needs to be a place where the mind can wander into

places that can only be imagined. As the Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero once said,

“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”

ii

s a n d i e g o l i b r a r y | t a b l e o f c o n t e n t siii

t a b l eo f c o n t e n t s

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abstract ii

project description 1

backgound 5

case studies 11

expert witness accounts 17

project requirements 23

research findings 27

site assessment 31

conclusion 37

annotated bibliography 41

appendix 45

s a n d i e g o l i b r a r y | p r o j e c t d e s c r i p t i o n1

Figure 1: Library user sitting on top of book shelves

2

1p r o j e c t d e s c r i p t i o n

There are many pre-conceptions about what a library is and what users of the libra-

ry do. Even though these might quite often be correct, there needs to be a change in mental-

ity in the general society so that the library can take on new functions in order to bring in a

larger audience. Additionally, new functions will bring about the need to alter programmatic

elements in a library which will encourage its users to frequent the library more often, which

will in turn create more attention for the facility not only in the community, but in other aspects

as well, such as tourism. People need to have the ability to access a library, no matter what

economic or social background they come from, and in order for this to take place, there

needs to be a well developed plan of infrastructure in and around a library. Multiple means of

transportation need to be addressed so that accessibility does not become an issue, as well

as providing spaces and experiences within the library that will entice people to come and

use the facility on a regular basis. Many times, a library reflects the economic power of the

community it is located within, but a central library branch needs to create the same luxuries

that a financially well-off community night have, for everyone else to use as well.

Due to the magnitude of a project such as a central library, it is clear that the effects

of this type of building will be made not only on the immediate surroundings of the library, but

also on the views and feelings people from outside the local community have on the city. Th-

ere are certain institutions and building types that tend to define the feeling of a city, and this

is done more often than not with certain architectural features and planning strategies. It is

crucial that a project such as this library reflect the overall feeling of place and identity of the

city it is in and the people it serves. People tend to want to feel a sense of pride of the places

they reside in, and the central library nneds to further develop the pride and respect its pe-

ople have for their community.

This proposal intends to further develop and revitalize a city that is already on its

way to finalizing its identity, and this project should help solidify this. There are two main ob-

jectives that this proposal should look to accomplish, which are to to create a facility that will

serve the educational community with its 21st century needs, but also create a city landmark

that its people will be proud of, as well as becoming part of the framework that will represent

the city on the national and international stage.

This new central library needs to fulfill multiple roles in addition to being a place for

storage of reading materials and information. This facility will serve as a new civic icon which

shall emobdy the city’s commitment not only to its existing community, but to future generat-

ions as well. With the use of architectural strategies, the library will become a new regional

center for learning and literacy, and will be a community gathering place where people from

around the city and world can celebrate reading, culture, music, art as well as providing an

environment where the community can discuss critical issues . It is clear that a central libra-

ry is a primary cultural and educational resource, but it must also embrace and celebrate the

central civic role of a modern library. This also entails the responsibility of becoming a link to

other educational and physical amenities that a city has to offer, and should look to promote

all of these to current residents as well as foreigners.

Another important aspect of the modern day library that this project will attempt to

address is that of the library’s growing competition from the private sector, which has been

one of the sources of the decline of frequency of visits by users to the public library. It is

clear that the existence of commercial spaces outside the library such as bookstores have

taken away potential patrons of the library. This is partly due to the extensive amount and

types of additional amenities and environments these privately owned, profit-seeking stores

offer. Many of these places are conveniently located in their communities, usually close to

large shopping and retail destinations. This project will look to find a site suitable to compete

with these type of retail spaces, thus adding to the definition of the common library. Along

with the educational and civic roles it must now play, it will also need to become a commerc-

ial institution, which consequently means bringing new and exciting experiences in order to

attract old and new visitors to the library. More than anything, it will become a multipurpose

institution that is willing to adapt to the transformation of its users and the materials it houses,

which in turn means that its planning and architectural features must demonstrate the library’s

flexibility in this contemporary setting.

s a n d i e g o l i b r a r y | p r o j e c t d e s c r i p t i o n3

Figure 2: Children listening to a storyteller in a dedicated space for elementary readers.

Figure 3: Libraries need to offer spaces for study groups.

4 Of course, taking the design of a library such as this project in that direction means

that certain protocols will not be followed, and the ones that are kept might be skewed in order

to fit the project into the proper context. The architectural traditions and vocabulary that have

most usually defined the library in the last century should be re-evaluated and at times

disregarded in order to ensure that the new concepts of the library are explored and seen th-

rough. The traditional views and conceptions of the library by the casual user tend to be the

feelings that the architecture and spaces are extremely formal and at times serious, which

many times drives the user to feel insecure, uncomfortable, and coming in to the library might

feel particularly daunting. The library should be none of these things, but instead should be

welcoming and create a sense of comfort where readers and researchers of all backgrounds

can come together for the better of themselves and the community.

The ultimate goal of this project is to create a successful environment that can spur

the rejuvenation of an urban space, and further that which has already been put into place.

With this being met, it will create an effect on its users and its surrounding educational,

cultural, civic, and commercial communities. With so much change being proposed to the

staus quo in this project, it would be logical to assume that there would be opposition to it.

This would be incorrect though, since organizations such as the Public Library Association

have already agreed that the change is imminent and should be encouraged. This same

Public Library Association published The Public Library Mission Statement and Its Imperat-

ives for Service, where it layouts certain guidelines for what the institution should be:

(1) a nontraditional education agency mediating between the individual and

the record, (2) a cultural agency fostering creativity, enjoyment of literature

and the arts, and appreciation for America’s pluralistic culture, (3) an inform-

ation agency, and (4) a rehabilitation agency aiding handicapped persons to

reach their full potential

These of course are just guidelines, but will be followed in order to add to the continuity of

other libraries around the country. In addition to this, this project will react and incorporate

aspects of the city it represents, and the people it will ultimately benefit and serve.

Cashier/Book shelves

Cafe/Coffee Shop

Indoor Seating/Reading area

Outdoor Seating/Reading area

Figure 4: Typical bookstore layout which incorporates spaces for relaxation and interaction.

s a n d i e g o l i b r a r y | b a c k g r o u n d5

Figure 5: Opening of San Diego Library in 1954.

6

San Diego has seen a revitalization of its downtown district over the past decade,

and it has become a place filled with brand new luxurious condominiums, an attractive night-

ife environment, a premiere shopping and retail destination, and one of the most well-known

tourist attractions in the United States. Even though this trend has taken off, most San Diegans

are quite aware that the downtown area was not always so exciting and significant. It used to

be a place most of its citizens would stay away from, with the majority of San Diego county

residents sharing the feeling that the area was just dark and gloomy, with a large homeless

population. This has dramatically changed, and this has been brought around due to various

reasons and revitalization efforts.

One of the first projects in downtown San Diego was Horton Plaza, which was desi-

gned by the well-known architect Jon Jerde in the mid 1980’s. It was a brand new concept

in mall design, and was seen to be a risky decision for its developers at the time of its const-

ruction. It ignored all of the standard planning practices and design guidelines for the typical

mall, and in the end it turned out to be a great success. This project re-evalutaed the values

and principles behind the mall and the shopping experience it offered, and consequently the

architectural features and planning strategies that were put in place were directly affected by

the research. This same concept should be put in place by the new central San Diego Public

Library, since the idea and institution of the common library is being redefined.

Another project that helped in the revitalization of dowtown San Diego is that of the

Petco Park stadium, home to the professional Major League Baseball team, the San Diego

Padres. The stadium first opened in 2004 and was situated within the East Village community

2b a c k g r o u n d


Figure 6 (Upper left): Jon Jerde’s Horton Plaza, Figure 7 (lower left): Gaslamp Quarter Historic District, Firgure 8 (right): Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres.

8downtown. The ballpark began to stimulate other local businesses, especially in the famous

historical Gaslamp Quarter, which began to give the dowtown a new fabric of patrons, visitors,

as well as residents to work with. This new central public library will only add to this new

vision of the downtown environment, and will be the cultural hub of the region.

The current central library is located in downtown San Diego, but is in dire need of

rennovation. The library was initially constructed in 1954, and is located on the north side of

E Street between Eight and Ninth Streets, and is roughly 145,000 square feet gross, of which

only 45,300 net square feet is accessible to the public. A common measure by which library

facilities are measured is the square footage per capita. San Diego’s current central library

provides 0.11 square foot per capita, in comparison to the average of 30 central libraries

serving the largest urban areas, which is 0.42 square foot. These numbers have been grabb-

ing the attention of city officials from as far back as 1971, when the city adopted a General

Plan which was a confirmed in the 1977 Master Plan for the San Diego Public Library. When

the library first opened its doors, it was intended to support a population of 466,000 people.

This represented an average of 3.9 citizens of the community per one net square foot of library

area. Since that time, the population of the city of San Diego has increased at an average rate

of 2.2%, to the current population of 1,223,400. In order to keep pace with this increase in po-

pulation and readership, the library should have correspondingly increased by 2.3% per year,

which is a composite increase of 174%) to a new current baseline of nearly 320,000 net square

feet. There were plans to make additions to the current library if needed with an additional two

floors, but changes in the City of San Diego Building Code prohibit construction of additional

floors without bringing the entire building into compliance with the current code. This of course

would substantially increase the amount of money needed to rennovate the existing library, and

so the decision was made to construct a brand new facility. Theexisting library is now over a

half-century old, and the need for a new facility is more prevalent than ever.

Architectural plans for a new central library for San Diego were completed in the mid

1990’s when an international design competition was held, and was won by local architect Rob

Quigley, FAIA. Due to financial constraints placed on the city, construction of the facility has

been postponed for 15 years, with the initial groundbreaking taking place in the summer of

2010. Funding has been achieved by outreach from the city’s officials as well as by the San

Diego Public Library Foundation, who convinced large local corporations and prominent local

businessmen to invest in the project. Even though the brand new facility proposed by Rob

Quigley is a step in the right direction, it is clear that they are outdated. In an ever changing

landscape and society, one must question the capabilities of this new facility. This is why the

project I am proposing will be up to date, and will seek to give a completely different outlook on

Figure 9: The current library, built in the 1950’s, is in very bad condition.


Figure 10: Example of new developments in the downtown San Diego area.

10what a landmark library for San Diego should truly be. Great cities have been said to be defin-

ed by their great civic spaces, and the library project that I am proposing will go beyond that

of just a civic institution, but instead adding programmatic elements that will encourage the

library to become an educational, economic, and cultural institution. Only this view of the libr-

ary will create a place where people from around the city and the county of San Diego can

come and experience the revitalized downtown, and a place where tourists from around the

world will be attracted to due to its uniqueness in planning and design.

s a n d i e g o l i b r a r y | c a s e s t u d i e s11

Figure 11: OMA’s Seattle Public Library.

12

Case Study: Seattle Public Library

Location: Seattle, Washington, United States

Architect: Rem Koolhaas, OMA Office of Metropolitan Architecture

The Seattle Public Library was designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, and

is known as one of the most successful libraries in the world not only for its extravagant arch-

itectural form, but also for its structural integrity, planning, and functional uses. One of the key

planning features of the project is its meaning and approach to flexibility within the program-

matic elements. In other libraries around the country, architects have taken the approach of

of creating floors and spaces where almost any library activity can happen, at the expense

of these individual spaces not being able to take on their own unique character. Koolhass’

approach was quite different, where he decided that the most plausible strategy would be

to divide and allocate certain activities and program to certain spatial compartments through-

out the building. Koolhass describes this concept by saying that “flexibililty can exist within

each section, but not at the expense of any of the other compartments... change is possible

by deliberately redefining use, rededicating compartments to new programs.” Not only do all

the spaces and programmatic clusters have their own formal identity, they are also unique in

their size, cirulaction, palette, structure, flexibility, and MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plum-

bing). All of the transition spaces that get users from one cluster to the other serve as a kind

of platform where librarians can interact with patrons and stimulate the experiences offered.

3c a s e s t u d i e s

One of the driving forces behind the project came out of the recently realized fact

that the contents of an entire library can now be stored on a single computer chip, or that

even now a single library can digitally store the content of all the libraries of the world. This

of course brings a brand new view on what the library stands for, and the potential for a buil-

ding type such as this is infinite. No longer is the architect held back in design by certain fea-

tures that a library use to need. In the case of the Seattle Public Library, Koolhaas was able

to make other elements important to function and form such as the views the site has out to

the surroundings of Elliot Bay, Mount Rainer, and the Interstate 5 in Seattle. With this in mind,

Koolhaas divided the building into eight horizontal layers that shift and fold over each other

with its structural steel and glass skin, which in the end creates the unifying feature of the

entire building. This allows each of the spaces to have its uniqueness, but do not let the unity

the building fall apart formally.

The total square footage of the library totals up to 412,000 sf (38.300 m2) of the ce-

ntral library, which includes 363,000 sf (33.700 m2) of headquarters, reading room, book

spiral, mixing chamber, meeting platform, living room, staff floor, children’s collection and

auditorium, and 49,000 sf (4.600 m2) of parking. Needless to say, the size of the building

allows for many uses and events, and also gives the community enough space for future

expansion in its collections. The Seattle Public Library building has been the recipient of

many rewards such as the American Institute of Architects(AIA) Honor Award for Architecture,

and the AIA/ALA Library Buildings of Excellence. The total original bid cost was set at $111.9

million, which meant $272 per square foot which included the demolition of the existing build-

ing on the site, other infrastructure improvements on the site, contractor general conditions,

furnishings such as bookcases, and of course taxes, overhead and profit.

From a technical standpoint, the design of OMA needed to be well thought out,

since a floating effect wanted to be achieved from the outside by leaving the platforms unsu-

pported at the corners of the building. The idea was to minimize the number of columns along

the edges to make the platforms appear floating. With this put in place, the cantilevering

provided for structural efficiency, which ultimately reduced load stresses along the middle of

deep box trusses that run around the perimeter of each platform. Additionally, the other defi-

ning feature of the building being the all-glass facades, were another challenge since books

and visitors needed protection from direct sunlight. Koolhass answer to this problem was

solved by creating an expanded aluminum mesh layed in between plates of insulated glass,

which would deflect 90% of sunlight, but allowing clear views to the outside.


Figure 12: East-west section cut through Seattle Public Library.

Figure 13: Floor plan of the third level of the Seattle Public Library.

14

Figure 14: Architectural model of the Salt Lake City Public Library.

Figure 15: Floorplan of the Salt Lake City Public Library.

Case Study: Salt Lake City Public Library

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Architect: Moshe Safdie, FAIA Safdie Architects

The Salt Lake City Public Library was built in 2003, and is a five-story tall building that

houses 240,000 square feet (22,300 m2) of usable space. The library’s most telling feature is

its curved glass wall, which looks out on to a landscaped and paved plaza, which is known as

the Library Square. The structure is mostly concrete, with 44,960 cubic yards (34,370m3) of

concrete used along with 176,368 square feet (16,385 m2) of glass. The materials selected by

Safdie are directly related to the climate of the region, with these being able to maximize the

amount of sunlight in the building along with creating a comftorable environment.

When a user enters the building, they will initially go underground and come into a

large enclosed space that receives a large amount of sunlight. On this first floor, there is space

for reading as well as an added programmatic element that includes commercial space for

specialty stores, which are located under the large crescent wall. This large crescent wall also

serves a secondary function, which is a walkable structure that leads users from the Library

Square up to the rooftop garden, a sustainable feature that also maximizes the square footage

of usable space. This rooftop space offers a 360 degree view of the Salt Lake Valley and

stunning views of the Wasatch Mountains. The interior of the curved glass wall which embraces

the public plaza with its shops and service areas at the ground level, is also where Safdie ch-

ose to place the reading galleries as well as the auditorium. Because of the large amount of

natural light that is introduced into all of the spaces, Safdie needed to pay careful attention to

ensure that library materials such as books and computers were not over exposed. Where there

is a need for them, the clear glass that is used has the highest UV rating available for energy

efficiency. Indirect lighting fixtures are used when there is a need to reduce the glare on objects

such as computer screens and book pages.

Another one of the defining features of the Salt Lake City Library comes from the plan-

ning strategy used in the floorplans and furnishing layouts. As a user accesses the upper floors,

the spaces become less active and the noise is significantly reduced. The bottom floors are

used for more public activities and events, while the upper floors are study-oriented for the more

avid readers and researchers. All of the floors look out to the public plaza, which is supposed to

encourage civic engagement. Some of the more telling characteristics of the plaza include the

granite water wall and reflecting pool, which provide a cooler atmosphere in contrast to the

hot Utah summer sun.

One of the most interesting and innovative programmatic spaces that the Salt Lake

City Library has is the Browsing Library. This space is located on the first floor and is used

as the library’s popular section, which are books and media considered to be the most

current and in high demand. Many of the librarians tend to stay in this space in order to help

visitors and patrons of the library in finding what they need, and also discussing their reading

interests in order to guide and introduce readers to new authors and subject areas. Adjacent

to this space is the cafe, which is an element most commercial bookstores have incorporated

into their designs. The cafe at the Salt Lake library is a place where people can relax or

engage and interact with fellow users, which tends to be a very successful environment since

the library is located in a very activated and busy downtown district.


Figure 16: Interior view of the Salt Lake City Public Library.

Figure 17: Site plan of the Minneapolis Central Public Library.

Case Study: Minneapolis Central Public Library

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Architect: Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects

The Minneapolis Central Public Library was completed in May of 2006, and has a

total square footage of 365,000 square feet and a total project cost of $138.7 million. It is loc-

ated in downtown Minneapolis, and has served as a cultural center for the city as well as a

civic landmark and soure of community pride that has spurred a very successful economic

stimulation in the region. With the theater district, arts district, and shopping district located

around its immediate surroundings, the library in itself has become a premier downtown dest-

ination in Minneapolis. The form of the building follows the grid of the streets, which is why in

plan one bloc of the building follows the geometry of the west grid, while the other block of

the building shifts a bit and runs completely parallel to the eastern grid.

The Minneapolis library was designed succefully to the extent that it now houses the

third largest public library collection per capita of any major city in the United States, and

almost 100% of its collection is accessible to the public, which compares to the 15% available

in Minneapolis’ previous library facility. Many of the spaces created in this new facility are loft-

like in nature, due to the raised floors which are encouraged by the non-existence of interioir

load-bearing walls. The idea behind this was to allow and easily accommodate future changes

in the library that deal with expansion, technology, and spatial layouts.

16

Figure 18: Interior view of Minneapolis Central Public Library.

Figure 19: Exterior view of the Minneapolis Central Library.

The library also implements many sustainable features, with the roof garden being

the most prevalent of them. It is 18,560 square feet in size, and has been incorporated to enh-

ance stormwater management practices as well as reducing the urban heat island effect. It is

planted with vegetation that can thrive in Minneapolis’ harsh climate, with low-growing succu-

lent and bedrock prairie plants being the most appropriate. All of these features allow the

roof to require low maintenance, and structurally in incredibly light in weight. Other factors that

the green roof contribute to is that it conserves energy by reducing the library’s cooling and

heating loads, it adds green space to a cityscape in dire need of open space, increases the

longevity of the roof system, and ultimately promotes a clean city environment for future proj-

ects to emulate. Also, the patterned glazing system on the glass walls tend to minimize the

amount of solar gain on three of the building’s facades, which also creating interesting lighting

inside of the adjacent spaces.

s a n d i e g o l i b r a r y | e x p e r t w i t n e s s a c c o u n t s17

Figure 20: Rendering of imaginative professional consultants.

18

Name: Charlie Goldberg

Title: Marketing Director, San Diego Public Library Foundation

Location: San Diego, California, United States

*Note: All accounts are paraphrased with expert witness’ consent

Question: What does your job entail and how have you been involved with the

Central San Diego Library Project?

I have been working with the San Diego Public Library Foundation for the last three years, and

I have actively participated in the downtown library project since I have been the marketing

director. Part of my job is finding ways of securing funds for the construction of the new library

facility, as well as for being able to continue the running costs once the facility becomes open

to the public. In order to attain funding for this project, we have reached out to the community

to find volunteers who with our help, visit local commpanies and businesses to gain corporate

partners for the project.

Question: Why has it taken so long for San Diego to get the library project done?

The library project has been 30 years in the making, and many people from all backgrounds

and regions have put in their two cents to help make this project a reality. Unfortunately, the

4e x p e r t w i t n e s s a c c o u n t s

process has been dragged out due to financial constraints and the priorities put in place by

the city council and other government officials. Around the time the design of the project was

chosen to be Rob Quigley’s, the issue of building a new stadium for the San Diego Padres

was brought up, and all attention was put on making that happen. The library had been a

priority for the city for a while, but in 1998 the Padres made it to the World Series and created

an exciting atmosphere for citizens in the city, which pushed momentum toward a new ballp-

ark, but unfortunately away from the central library project. In a way though, the ballpark do-

wntown has stimulated the businesses and revitalization efforts in the area, which has created

a very live and exciting environment for the library to thrive in.

Question: What role has the San Diego City council played in the library project?

The city council has always been pressured by the community to approve the library project

and to find funding for it. It was finally able to secure the funding needed for the project with

help from the San Diego Public Library Foundation, with this last donation totaling in almost

$40 million. One of the other organizations that has played an important part in this process

is the Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC), which is a quasi-public organization

that has been charged with overlooking any downtown redevelopment plans. They try to

control the growth and revitalization of the area, and also try to quantify and qualify the needs

of the region.

Question: Has the original architect stuck with the project throughout the process?

Rob Quigley is the architect of record, and he has been one of the project’s strongest suppo-

rters, and has been advocating for it over the past 10-15 years. He has made himself availab-

le over the years to speak for free at many events in order to make the library project happen,

and his love for the city of San Diego has been crucial throughout the entire process. No

architect that did not have a sense of care and passion for the city and the project would have

lasted this long. We believe that Quigley’s design offers the city the most successful design,

and an opportunity to further develop and revitalize the area, as well as creating a state-of-

the-art environment for the library, its users, and its employees. The most important thing is

that the project will now happen, because the need for a new facility was extreme, and it

was imperative and crucial to get an architect behind the project that understood the situat-

ion as well.


Figure 21: Architect Rob Quigley, FAIA at the groundbreaking ceremony of San Diego Library.

Figure 22: Exterior view of the San Diego City Hall building.

20

Figure 23: Librarian speaking with children about electronic media materials.

Question: What are some of the more marketable features your organization is

looking for in the library design?

Probably the most important feature would be adaptibility, since we do not want to go through

the same situation we had over the past 50 years in the old facility. Also, downtown San Diego

has seen an enormous amount of growth over the past decade, and we are sure that the trend

will only continue, so we need to have a library facility that will be able to keep up with the

community, as well as being able to grow and morph in the future. We also need to see the

library as offering amenities for the city, which means incorporating spaces such as an audito-

rium and more open public spaces. Throughout the process developing a library design, we

along with Rob Quigley held public meetings so that we could get input from the community,

as well as to look for artistic and forward thinking individuals who might be able to assist us

in the process. Another feature that we have been looking to incorporate is the option of a cha-

rter school, since there is potential funding from the school district if it is placed within the libr-

ary. The branch needs to be a popular place to visit not only within the immediate downtown

community, but also to the residents of San Diego County. One must remember that this new

central library would be the hub for the rest of the 35 libraries within the county, so it needs to

serve as the regional center, which also entails incorporating rooms and spaces such as

administrative offices.

Name: Deborah Barrow

Title: Library Director, San Diego Public Library


Question: What is essential to a successful library environment?

The most essential part of the library is to create an environment where people can come and

accomplish what they came to do. First and foremost, the library has always been a place

where knowledge is stored, and where students, researchers and the common reader come

to extract its information. It has been a symbol of intelligence and democracy for years, and it

should continue to do this. As library director however, I must admit that the functions of the

library have changed a bit, and its environment should adapt with the times. Bookstores have

been a strong competition for us, and we should do something to compete with them.

Question: What sort of features and spaces should the architect incorporate into

a new library design for San Diego?

One of the most important features that many of our patrons tell us about is that they want a

space where reading can be done in a relaxed environment. In other libraries around the

country, this is done in sort of a grand reading room. Patrons need and should have a place

where they feel at home, and where they know that they have the entire library’s materials at

their disposal. Many features in the older libraries tend to alienate people, especially since

in the past libraries were usually only used by the educated public and researchers. We of

course are now in an age where everyone can use the library, and the design should be able

to welcome in users as well as attract new ones. If a library is well-designed, it will also attract

important and well-known authors and celebrities to hold events, which would in turn bring

more attention to the library and the community at large. One of the most vital features that

most people don’t realize, and I cannot emphasize how important this is, is the areas where

the librarians are, and the workplaces they need to frequent. Even though the library is for

the community and its users, one must realize that the librarians are the ones that are here

all day trying to keep up a learning and cultural environment, and they should be entitled to

a comftorable facility as well. This should include offices for their use as well as just a gener-

ally well organized library system so that their work load is not as heavy.

Name: Brian Quinn

Title: Chief Engineer, Atlas Construction Supply


Question: What has been your experiences with architects and projects of this

nature?

We have been involved with many key projects and architects, and each of them has had

its ups and downs. One must realize, like in any project, that there are many people involved,

all the way from the professional levels, to the community. As far as architects go, I have had

experiences with many of them such as Anshen+Allen, Rob Quigley, and Jonathan Siegel.

Each of them have had their own personalities and ways of working, but I must say that the

common denominator has been that they all have seemed a bit arrogant. As an architect, one

must realize that the design of these buildings are not just a reflection of the architect, but also


Figure 24: Logo of the Atlas Construction Supply, Inc. Company.

22

Figure 26: Atlas Construction products at work on the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

the entire community it is in. I think the arrogance is a product of their goals, which most often

is the achievement of perfection. This is understandable, but the more important concept to

grasp here is that the architect should seek perfection, not necessarily achieve it. The architect

sets up the framework for a project, but the people who ultimately decide on a project’s succ-

ess is its users. At the end of the day it is a team effort, but it is the architect’s job to coordinate

with all of the consultants in order to produce a successful project.

Question: What is the history of downtown San Diego and its surrounding areas,

and how does the environment affect a potential downtown project?

Downtown San Diego has seen a complete rennovation over that past couple decades, and I

see three different projects as being the catalysts for improving the downtown environment.

The first one was Horton Plaza which was done in the 1980’s by Jon Jerde, secondly would be

the Gaslamp Quarter which has transformed into a tourist destination as well as an entertainm-

ent district for locals, and finally Petco Park in the East Village has been the most vital in the

last decade, and has really brought attention to the area by developers, with developers from

Canada being the most prominent. The success of the downtown ballpark has now given other

ideas to developers for new projects such as another downtown stadium for the San Diego

Chargers football team. Condos, small businesses, and tourist destinations have been going

up around the area for a few years now, and even though the situation the economy is in has

slowed it down a bit, I am sure that the trend will again favor the continued growth of the

downtown. In any project downtown, it is vital to remember that there needs to be room for

expansion, since the number of people who come downtown everyday is growing as well as

the number of residents living downtown.

Figure 25: Detailed drawing for concrete formwork and interior view of Oakland’s Cathedral

of Christ the Light.

s a n d i e g o l i b r a r y | p r o j e c t r e q u i r e m e n t s23

Figure 27: A performance of Mexican folklorico danncing.

24

Since the project will be located on a premier site that is optimal for educational and

cultural activities, the programming of the central San Diego Public Library will need to go be-

yond that of a conventional library. In addition to having the required library space for its coll-

ections and services, it will aslo see the addition of a technology center that will adapt to 21st

century needs, an outdoor library plaza and cafe that will serve as a tourist destination, a

grand reading room that will allow its users to experience the city with exceptional views and

spaces, an auditorium that can be used for multiple presentation types and purposes, as well

as a special events room that will be open to the entire community for its use. Since these

types of venues will be coming together in one facility, the library needs to accommodate all

of its users which will lead to a more diverse and dynamic atmosphere, where people of all

ages and backgrounds can come together to celebrate the city and its unique heritage.

The project requirements for this library are directly influenced by the understanding

that it needs to be a special place, which shares the aura of a performing arts center, the rich-

ness of an educational institution, the vitality needed for a commerce center, and the excitem-

ent of a place for discovery. The public library is a destination in itself, and now more than

ever should it be one that attracts a wide variety of people and professions. Because of its

downtown location, the tourist factor should be vital to the programmatic and architectural

requirements. As a tourist center, the library should provide an abundance of recreational

information for San Diego, as well as becoming a tourist destination in itself. Ultimately, the

library will serve as a physical and representational gateway for the city which will welcome

tourists, residents, and prominent leaders to the heart of the region.

5p r o j e c t r e q u i r e m e n t s

As in any architectural project of this kind, it is important to address the feelings and

concerns of its future users, as well as its consultants and officials. There are issues and ideas

that have been brought to the attention of the people who are involved in this project, and

these are a few that have been outlined and will be required as part of the design:

Makes a proud civic statement architecturally

Reflects the environment of San Diego

Is welcoming, inviting in approach, and non-intimidating

Has highly visible service areas and promotes self-directed services

Adapts to the activated downtown environment

Is organized and designed to recognize long hours of public service

Recognizes and deals appropriately with the presence of the homeless

Recognizes the requirements of large group visits

Serves as an economic, civic, educational, and tourist hub of the region

Accomodates the immediate residential community and market

The design of the library should incorporate all of these aspects, but should not be limited to

this list. The overencompassing concept of this project will always be that the fundamental

parts of the library institution have evolved, and this building should reflect and demonstrate

how this has occurred, and should set guidelines for morphing of these values in the future.

In addition to the items listed above, there are basic public library design principles that have

survived the evolution of the institution. The most obvious would be that the facility should be

kept as open as possible in its spatial qualities, which also entails that these same spaces

should be left uncluttered as related to circulation, furnishings, and other programmatic

elements.

s a n d i e g o l i b r a r y | p r o j e c t r e q u i r e m e n t s25

26 In general, the public library system exists and serves as an assitant to the overall

community in an effort to improve the citizens’ quality of life. Quality of life is directly correlated

with the knowledge of a society, and the library is the storage place of information where this

knowledge is ultimately achieved and used.

s a n d i e g o l i b r a r y | r e s e a r c h fi n d i n g s27

Figure 28: U.S. Green Building Council member holding a LEED Platinum Award plaque.

28

One of the characteristics of the profession of architecture is its search for new and

innovative ways of incorporating ideas and technology into the built environment. No matter

what the building type or the programmitic functions a building takes on, it is important that

this trend continues, especially in today’s world where sustainability is such an issue. The

project of this library should be no different, and it should even go beyond the normal steps

that are taken by an architect and other professional consultants by making the facility a sh-

owcase of the city’s innovations and its stance on creating a carbon neutral environment.

With this being said, it is imperative that this central San Diego Public Library project

look to incorporate passive design strategies as well as active ones that take advantage of

technology and other resources. The ultimate goal is to achieve a LEED Platinum rating from

the U.S. Green Building Council for this library, in order to make the building a prime example

for others around the world to emulate. A checklist for points awarded for how strategies are

used and the results from the actual built building will be adhered to throughout the process,

and should serve as one of the principle guidelines for the project. Some potential elements

that will be explored include:

Sustainable Site: The proposed site shall be located near major public transportation

nodes such as bus routes; it will look to incorporate features of landscaping and

exterior design in order to reduce negative impacts on environment such as the heat

island effect; major steps in planning should be taken during initial construction with

control of erosion and sedimentation

6r e s e a r c h fi n d i n g s

Resources and materials: The project should look to use recyclables wherever it is

possible and appropriate, such as using a high percentage of materials that are

recycled or that are manufactured within 500 miles of San Diego, in order to help

the local economy as well as reducing transportation distances

Efficiency of water: An on-site rainwater collection tank should be looked into in

order to preserve water, and would be used for interior as well as exterior uses; any

plants incorporated into landscape plan shall be drought-tolerant; a sufficient mec-

hanical system and equipment should be used, as well as installing metered faucets

as well as no-flush urinals

Indoor environmental quality: Passive design strategies such as maximizing daylight

and outdoor views shall be implemented throughout the building; the standards of

the American Society for Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (AS

HRAE) shall look to be exceeded; monitoring systems should be put in place to

manage the thermal comfort within the library

Overall energy and atmosphere: The energy performance of the building and its

sytems such as HVAC, building envelope and others should look to exceed and

outperform any energy code standard and regulations; the ultimate goal and purp-

ose is protect and enhance the liveable and useable environments, and to yield cost

savings to the taxpayers by reducing operating and construction costs

Even though these are all very important aspects in making this library work to its full potential,

there are many other technical and design aspects that should be researched and fully deve-

loped throughout the design process. Some of these features include lighting, acoustics, ADA

(Americans with Disabilities Act), materials selection, flexibility, HVAC, and many more. Acou-

stics are crtical to creating a successful library environment, especially in an activated region

such as downtown. Configuration of spaces, layout of furnishings, and selection of finishes

and materials all play a role in controlling sound generation and transmission throughout the

building. Also, circulation of people and materials is vital to the library, and consequently a

method of organization should be layed out and implemented. Structural considerations sho-

uld be taken due to the amount of live loads being placed on the existing floor and dead loads.

Illumination and quality of light is another important factor, with an average of 40-50 foot cand-

les (fc) needed for optimal public reading spaces.

s a n d i e g o l i b r a r y | r e s e a r c h fi n d i n g s29

30

Figure 29: LEED checklist from the U.S. Green Building Council.

LEED 2009 FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION AND MAJOR RENOVATIONS

vi

LEED 2009 FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION AND MAJOR RENOVATIONS PROJECT CHECKLIST

Sustainable Sites 26 Possible Points��Prerequisite 1 Construction Activity Pollution Prevention Required

��Credit 1 Site Selection 1

��Credit 2 Development Density and Community Connectivity 5

��Credit 3 Brownfield Redevelopment 1

��Credit 4.1 Alternative Transportation—Public Transportation Access 6

��Credit 4.2 Alternative Transportation—Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms 1

��Credit 4.3 Alternative Transportation—Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles 3

��Credit 4.4 Alternative Transportation—Parking Capacity 2

��Credit 5.1 Site Development—Protect or Restore Habitat 1

��Credit 5.2 Site Development—Maximize Open Space 1

��Credit 6.1 Stormwater Design—Quantity Control 1

��Credit 6.2 Stormwater Design—Quality Control 1

��Credit 7.1 Heat Island Effect—Nonroof 1

��Credit 7.2 Heat Island Effect—Roof 1

��Credit 8 Light Pollution Reduction 1

Water Efficiency 10 Possible Points��Prerequisite 1 Water Use Reduction Required

��Credit 1 Water Efficient Landscaping 2-4

��Credit 2 Innovative Wastewater Technologies 2

��Credit 3 Water Use Reduction 2-4

Energy and Atmosphere 35 Possible Points��Prerequisite 1 Fundamental Commissioning of Building Energy Systems Required

��Prerequisite 2 Minimum Energy Performance Required

��Prerequisite 3 Fundamental Refrigerant Management Required

��Credit 1 Optimize Energy Performance 1–19

��Credit 2 On-site Renewable Energy 1–7

��Credit 3 Enhanced Commissioning 2

��Credit 4 Enhanced Refrigerant Management 2

��Credit 5 Measurement and Verification 3

��Credit 6 Green Power 2

Materials and Resources 14 Possible Points��Prerequisite 1 Storage and Collection of Recyclables Required

��Credit 1.1 Building Reuse—Maintain Existing Walls, Floors and Roof 1-3

��Credit 1.2 Building Reuse—Maintain Existing Interior Nonstructural Elements 1

��Credit 2 Construction Waste Management 1-2

��Credit 3 Materials Reuse 1-2

��Credit 4 Recycled Content 1-2

LEED 2009 FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION AND MAJOR RENOVATIONS

vii

��Credit 5 Regional Materials 1-2

��Credit 6 Rapidly Renewable Materials 1

��Credit 7 Certified Wood 1

Indoor Environmental Quality 15 Possible Points��Prerequisite 1 Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance Required

��Prerequisite 2 Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control Required

��Credit 1 Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring 1

��Credit 2 Increased Ventilation 1

��Credit 3.1 Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan—During Construction 1

��Credit 3.2 Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan—Before Occupancy 1

��Credit 4.1 Low-Emitting Materials—Adhesives and Sealants 1

��Credit 4.2 Low-Emitting Materials—Paints and Coatings 1

��Credit 4.3 Low-Emitting Materials—Flooring Systems 1

��Credit 4.4 Low-Emitting Materials—Composite Wood and Agrifiber Products 1

��Credit 5 Indoor Chemical and Pollutant Source Control 1

��Credit 6.1 Controllability of Systems—Lighting 1

��Credit 6.2 Controllability of Systems—Thermal Comfort 1

��Credit 7.1 Thermal Comfort—Design 1

��Credit 7.2 Thermal Comfort—Verification 1

��Credit 8.1 Daylight and Views—Daylight 1

��Credit 8.2 Daylight and Views—Views 1

Innovation in Design 6 Possible Points��Credit 1 Innovation in Design 1-5

��Credit 2 LEED Accredited Professional 1

Regional Priority 4 Possible Points��Credit 1 Regional Priority 1-4________________________________________________________________________

LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations100 base points; 6 possible Innovation in Design and 4 Regional Priority points

Certified 40–49 points

Silver 50–59 points

Gold 60–79 points

Platinum 80 points and above

s a n d i e g o l i b r a r y | s i t e a s s e s s m e n t31

Figure 30: View of the San Diego harbor and downtown skylne on a clear day.

32

The site selection was especially crucial since it is vital that many needs are met in

order to service the region as a whole with library services as well as fulfilling its civic role.

San Diego is a very diverse city due to its proximity to Los Angeles and to the U.S.-Mexico

border. This has allowed the city to develop many different cultures and traditions, which have

grown due to the region’s climate, tourism, and location as a military port and harbor. All of

these aspects of the region come together in the downtown San Diego area, where revitaliza-

tion of this one lonely and desolate place has changed the environment completely.

The downtown area has seen most of the new development happen in what is known

as the East Village, due to the new baseball stadium that was built in 2004 to host the San

Diego Padres. Since then, developers have begun and completed projects such as high-rise

condominiums and mixed-use buildings. 9,000 housing units are under construction downt-

own, with more than 50,000 residents projected to live in dowtown by the year 2025. The city

has taken a definite turn to becoming a 24-hour city, where people who are working downtown

(75,000 employers and employees, which is expected to double by 2020) can live as well as

enjoy the nightlife without having to leave the district. The Gaslamp Quarter has also added to

the attractiveness of the area, and not to mention the San Diego harbor waterfront which is

within walking distance.

Another key reason for why this is the optimal site for the new San Diego Central

Public Library is transportation. The downtown area has more than sufficient parking due to

the many structures and lots that were put in place in order to withstand the impact of visitors

coming to the new ballpark. Also, the MTS (Metropolitan Transit System) already has put in

7s i t e a s s e s s m e n t

place the San Diego Trolley and its stops that will provide access to the library to people from

all around the county. The East Village is also conveniently located to other forms of public

transit as well as quick and easy freeway access to State Highway CA 163, State CA 94, and

Interstate 5. The area around the proposed site for the central library is serviced by twelve bus

routes, and there are 18 public transit stops within a quarter mile of the site.

The actual 70,000 square foot site which is located at the corner of Park Boulevard

and J Street also has significant economic advantages since it is entirely city-owned. Further-

more, this site is located along the new Park-to-Bay promenade which is a $130 million project

that will serve as a major urban design element linking two iconic elements in San Diego, Bal-

boa Park and San Diego Bay. The library will serve as a node on this link, which will increase

the educational opportunities for the community as well as developing further tourism in the

area. The site is also centrally located within the downtown district which consists of seven

other neighborhoods with their own qualities: Little Italy, Marina, Cortez, Columbia, Core,

Gaslamp Quarter and Horton. Despite the variety in qualities and characteristics that each

neighborhood posseses, there is still no place for the residents of these communities to

gather at and meet one another. The central library building will be able to satisfy the need of

providing a place for all of the downtown neighborhoods, as well as for the rest of the county.

The site is the best choice financially since it is already owned by the city, and its

previous use was an unsighlty vehicle maintenance yard. Additionally, the infrastructure in the

area has seen an upgrade worth $45 million as part of the redevelopment plan in the 26 block

district, which will improve service to current projects and future ones, including the central

San Diego Public Library. A brand new chilled water plant was also recently installed in the

area, which will potentially eliminate the need for a stand-alone system serving the library.

Since the site is city owned, it will be an easier process in solitifying and maximizing

the use of the site according to code. San Diego Municipal Code states that under base min-

imum and maximum floor area ratio (FAR) for the site is 6.5 . Assuming maximum FAR can be

achieved with added incentives and bonuses along with the implentation of the transfer of

developmental rights (TDR), the FAR could potentially reach 8.0 on the site, which is ideal for

the creative process in the design, as well as creating flexibility in its uses and architectural

features. One issuse to be aware of on this site is that it is within a land use overlay district

that is considered to be in the Coastal zone, which means that the project would be appeala-

ble to the California Coastal Commission. The California Coastal Act is enforced by the

commission, and it is intended to assure statewide interests in coastal resources are protect-

ed. The library design should adhere and look to benefit from such a regulation.


Figure 31: Rendering of the downtown San Diego area.

Figure 32: View of the Gaslamp Quarter Historical district in downtown San Diego.

34

Figure 33: Map of downtown San Diego with a diagram showing various connections and parking spaces related to proposed library site.

Public Parking Library Site Freeways Park-to-Bay Promenade MTS Trolley Route


Figures 34A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H: Views of and around the proposed downtown central San Diego Public Library.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

36

Figure 35: Map of downtown San Diego and its individual communities.

San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 15: Planned Districts Final per City Council Action February 28, 2006

Ch. Art. Div. 15 1 3 83

Figure 36: Map of FAR boundaries of downtown San Diego, regulated by CCDC.

Library Site

Library Site

s a n d i e g o l i b r a r y | c o n c l u s i o n37

38

As Henry Ward Beecher once said, “A library is not a luxury, but one of the necessi-

ties of life.” Throughout the process of this project, there is an attempt to create a design

that will not only serve the community at large with only creating the most basic structures and

environments for learning, but instead the luxury of the place will be created through the

experiences users have, and the architectural expressions and spatial features that grow from

the ideas and knowledge the library represents.

The architect is only a piece of the puzzle in the entire process that receives input

from other professional consultants, city officials, and other hard workers in creating this

library. But the initial inception of the idea does come from the architect, which will come to set

up and lay out the framework of what could be a generation of ideas and extraordinary

experiences. The ultimate beneficiary of this project will be the people and society at large,

who will see the transformation of this institution from a daunting and un-welcoming being,

into an exciting, welcoming, and activated one that will seek the best qualities of the

individuals and the communities they exemplify.

The downtown San Diego experience shall be transformed through this one structu-

re, and will be a catalyst for the entire area, and will seek to stand as an example for the rest

of the country and for the rest of the world to see. The common public space has been an

aspect of society that has all but disappeared over the years with the change in attitudes and

values that societies have sustained, but this project will breathe new light into this realm,

and will serve as an architectural, economic, educational, and civic gem that citizens will be

proud to call their own.

8c o n c l u s i o n

Why am I the best person for the job? Simple. I have a clear understanding of what

this city needs and what it seeks in a library, and that this library will not only show the prog-

ress this city has made over the years, but also how it thrives and excells in such a diverse

environment that holds traditions, values, and people from many backgrounds. The passion

that an architect has about a project is demonstrated through the amount of research and

time one puts in to a project of this magnitude, and the only desire is to create a space that

people can enjoy for generations to come. This library will not be a symbol of who or what

the architect is, or what his values and favored design strategies are, but instead it will be a

symbol of the region and its people, and the hopes that they are willing to extend out to

everyone else in the global community.

s a n d i e g o l i b r a r y | c o n c l u s i o n39

40

ACTIVATEDCIVIC

EDUCATIONAL

ECONOMIC

COMMUNITY

KNOWLEDGEDYNAMIC

INSTITUTION

INFORMATION

HOPE

FREE

PRIDE REGIONAL

ADAPTABLE

SUSTAINABLE

s a n d i e g o l i b r a r y | a n n o t a t e d b i b l i o g r a p h y41

42

Dewe, Michael. Planning Public Library Buildings. Vermont: Ashgate Publishing Company,

2006.

This book talks about many aspects of the library design process including those

such as the mission and roles of the library, key qualities in its design, and others

like building systems, sustainability, safety, and security. The author bases his

research and findings according to the rules, codes, and values of design

consultants in the UK.

Mattern, Shannon. The New Downtown Library: Designing with Communities. Minneapolis:

University of Minnesota, 2007.

The author of this book dives into the subject of libraries but in the specific down-

town environments in which they are being developed around the world. This

phenonema is explored by the author and looks at the most successful qualities

and strategies that have been implemented in the recent past.

a n n o t a t e db i b l i o g r a p h y

Bennett, David. Exploring Concrete Architecture: Tone, Texture, Form. Switzerland:

Birkhauser, 2001.

The concrete building material is explored, and its use in different building types

is studied and looked into. Concrete is one of the most widely used materials around

the world, and this was a great book to see how a construction material is used as

a unifying architectural and structural quality, and how its use can also differ through

out other regions.

Norten, Enrique, and Deyan Sudjic. Working: 20 Projects in Process. New York: Penguin

Group, 2007.

Twenty different projects, that includes libraries, are looked at as they are designed

and thought out before it goes into the construction stage. Most of the projects have

sites located in urban settings, and helped in the exploration of how successful

urban facilities function.

Bazillion, Richard J., and Braun, Connie. Academic Libraries as High-Tech Gateways: A

Guide to Design and Space Decisions. St. Petersburg: American Library Association,

1995.

This text advocates the need for flexibility in library design, and encourages discus-

sion on preparing for the library of the future and on the librarian’s role in the teach-

ing of electronic skills. It uses the tool of case studies to look at the problems that

are encountered during the building process, and presents a short history of the

individual library’s need to expand library space. The book also provides a listing

of librarians and architects who recently worked on library building projects.

Lushington, Nolan. Libraries Designed for Users: A 21st Century Guide. New York: Neal-

Schuman Publishers, 2002.

The author of this book had experience as a library design consultant, library dire-

ctor, and associate professor. The book looks at the practical strategies of the

library design process, and takes a critical look at history, trends, and processes

s a n d i e g o l i b r a r y | a n n o t a t e d b i b l i o g r a p h y43

that the library institution has gone through over the years. There are many library plans

illustrated to show a variety of solutions to design questions.

Crosbie, Michael J. Architecture for the Books. New York: Images Publishing Dist A/C,

2006.

Looks at some of the better library projects from the recent past with everything

from small community public libraries, to large commercial research libraries, and

state-of-the-art university centers for information and socializing. The book provides

many large format plans, sections, diagrams, and extensive photographs of interiors

and exteriors as well as details of libraries throughout the world.

Psarra, Sophia. Architecture and Narrative: The Formation of Space and Cultural Meaning.

Michigan: Routledge Publishers, 2009.

This book looks at the architectural profession and design process in a very differe-

nt way, by seeing it as the art of a thinking mind that arranges, organizes and esta-

blishes relationships between the parts and the whole. It is also seen as the art of

designing spaces, which one experiences through movement and use. The ideas

of conceptual ordering, spatial and social narratives are seen as fundamental to the

ways in which buildings are shaped.

Murphy, Tish. Library Furnishings: A Planning Guide. New York: McFarland & Company,

2007.

This book begins with the premise that the life expectancy of a typical library is 20

or so years, but can be greatly extended with extensive planning and an informed

choice of versatile, adaptable furnishings. The ultimate goal of this book is to allow

any librarian or architect to make informed, cost-effective decisions.

Loukatiou-Sideris, Anastasia. Urban Design Downtown: Poetics and Politics of Form. Berkley:

University of California, 1998.

The corporate downtown is looked at with its multitude of social dilemmas and cont-

44

radictions. How downtown projects are conceived, scripted, produced, packaged

and used, and how all this has changed during the twentith century is explored.

Takes a historical look at the various phases of downtown transformations.

Kubo, Michael. Office for Metropolitan Architecture: Seattle Public Library. Barcelona: Actar

Publishing, 2005.

OMA’s design for the Seattle Public Library is one of the firm’s most well-known proj-

ects, and it explains the rethinking of the very nature of the library. States that if the

library exists as a threatened sanctuary, it has been done by its own stubborn relian-

ce on one kind of literacy and its consequent blindness to other emerging forms that

increasingly dominate our culture.

Swimmer, Lara. Process: Seattle Central Library. New York: Documentary Media, 2004.

Takes an intimate glimpse into the creation of one of the most unique buildings in the

world. It is a book filled with mostly photographs that span the entire 32 months of

construction, and then gives a photographic tour throughout the library once it was

completed.

Gordon, Jacques. Horton Plaza, San Diego: A Case Study of Public-Private Development.

Boston: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1985.

A writing on how this cornerstone project that anchors the retail industry in downtown

San Diego transformed the area, and started a chain effect to other redevoplment

projects in the district.

“Implementing Downtown’s Redevlopment on Behalf of the City of San Diego.” Centre City

Develpoment Corporation. 7 Dec. 2010. <http://www.ccdc.com/>

This website is of extreme help for anyone working on a project in the downtown San

Diego area, since the CCDC is the organization in charge of organizing, planning,

and implementing regulations in any downtown project.

“Central Library: About the Project.” San Diego Public Library Foundation. 7 Dec. 2010.

<http://supportmylibrary.org/centrallibrary/aboutproject>

This website helps explain the current San Diego Library project is about, and

what approaches the architect and design team took. It also gives an inside look

to what the client, City of San Diego, wants out of this project from a design stand

point, financially, and as an educational institution.

Documents

Thesis Booklet-Research