New Central Library

[Scornfire]

I'm loving the pictures so far, I think I'll pop in when I'm home for Christmas

[kermitology]

I had some books to drop off.

I wandered around for a little bit and then had to pick my jaw up off the floor.

This is the best thing to happen to Calgary in a long time. When you see everything that is there you realize just how important an institution this building will come to represent.

This is truly world class, and I’m actually kind of thinking we got a good deal on the cost of that library.

I challenge someone who thinks it’s a waste of money to go in there and just see how many people are using it and how much it has to offer besides just being a book depository.

I am beyond ecstatic for this library.

Spoiler!

[Draug]

^^^
I am not an "artsy" person. The last time I used a library was during University. Conversely, I use all the City's arenas, lacrosse facilities, and other athletic facilities. I would be the stereotypical poster child for those that might deem this library a waste of money.

But, seeing the pictures and first hand reports, I dont think that at all. I think it's a great culture builder for Calgary.

I find myself wondering why Olympic facilities and a new arena can't achieve similar greatness. I hope we host the Games, and I hope the facilities do!

My daughter is very artistic and very academic. Very much into fine arts. We'll have to make a trip to the new library!

[Jiggy]

Originally Posted by Bunk

It's not a branch, it's a central library, which does play a different role in the system. It's meant to be a city-wide draw, with programming that will have city-wide pull. Also, there are lots of children who live within a couple KM of the place. The inner city isn't what it was 20 years ago - it's full of children.

A few people from work and myself were non believers of this library. So we went to go check it out yesterday during lunch. All of us changed our minds. It's more (out of this world more) than the typical library we were all used to growing up.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Jiggy

A few people from work and myself were non believers of this library. So we went to go check it out yesterday during lunch. All of us changed our minds. It's more (out of this world more) than the typical library we were all used to growing up.

I think ppl don't realize the difference between a good building versus great architecture until they see it... like the burger thread... you think you know what a good burger is until you try a great one.

Snohetta does projects around the world, mainly invited to and or by winning competitions...so glad the city had an international competition to pick the winning design for the NCL... and happy everyone was able to execute the project at such a high level

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Ah, that looks better. Coming in from the west along 9th, the CP tracks and the parking lot didn’t have the same visual effect.

That entire area is going to be a cornucopia of great designs. Even the parkade will be a statement! The 9th Avenue Parkade & Innovation Centre will change the 9th Avenue experience and compliment the new Central Library.

https://www.calgarymlc.ca/9th-avenue-se-parkade/

I am (a little) disappointed with the NCL, in that some of the accessible needs weren't addressed. I suppose we have more work to do advocating Universal Design.

[Kswiss]

Very cool structure. Massive inside and can easily see this place as a way to build the community. Only thing is that it smelled like crap outside. Like real bad.

[topfiverecords]

Wow was this place busy today. There were hundreds of people in line to get in and there were thousands inside.

A very impressive building and a great asset for the city. I will need to spend some more time when it’s a little quieter to really appreciate the architecture.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Kswiss

Very cool structure. Massive inside and can easily see this place as a way to build the community. Only thing is that it smelled like crap outside. Like real bad.

I guess they shouldn’t have used manure compost in all of the planters.

[GGG]

Went down there today and it is a very impressive structure. Crazy busy in there. It will be interesting to see how well utilized it is. They did a good job of making the space very flexible and community focused. Hopefully the operating budget has money on it to maintain the technology investment.

I always wonder on these projects what the cost of making it look awesome is? Is the boring functional box 20 million cheaper or 100 million cheaper. Given how well they utilized the space and the cost of building over the Ctrain I suspect there isn’t that much “decorative” money in it compared to the boring box but still Id love to see numbers.

The Calgary history section is very accessible. I will definitely spend sometime in there digging out old pictures.

What probably the most important part of this project is it takes a blighted inaccessible plot of land that was used as a homeless / drug camp because the Ctrain divided it and connects it with the rest of downtown. This is a huge win for the long term development of the East village.

[the_only_turek_fan]

I was there today with my kids. It's a pretty spectacular place. It was so busy today. Folks were literally bumping into each other at every turn.

The food trucks outside were a nice touch.

[Wormius]

Today was so busy. Thursday was definitely more relaxed. I guess the combination of being Saturday and free transit was a factor. I kind hope it gets less busy. Around closing time was crazy.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by GGG

Went down there today and it is a very impressive structure. Crazy busy in there. It will be interesting to see how well utilized it is. They did a good job of making the space very flexible and community focused. Hopefully the operating budget has money on it to maintain the technology investment.

I always wonder on these projects what the cost of making it look awesome is? Is the boring functional box 20 million cheaper or 100 million cheaper. Given how well they utilized the space and the cost of building over the Ctrain I suspect there isn’t that much “decorative” money in it compared to the boring box but still Id love to see numbers.

The Calgary history section is very accessible. I will definitely spend sometime in there digging out old pictures.

What probably the most important part of this project is it takes a blighted inaccessible plot of land that was used as a homeless / drug camp because the Ctrain divided it and connects it with the rest of downtown. This is a huge win for the long term development of the East village.

I’d be curious to know how much was spent on all of those narrow wood strip claddings and ceilings. It would be a significant number and worth every penny. What a task, ensuring tens of thousands of strips are straight and true, finished
properly and installed one by one. Many varying lengths. Monumental task.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

I’d be curious to know how much was spent on all of those narrow wood strip claddings and ceilings. It would be a significant number and worth every penny. What a task, ensuring tens of thousands of strips are straight and true, finished
properly and installed one by one. Many varying lengths. Monumental task.

Id assume all of that is done on the ground and then craned into place in large sections. So it’s much less custom fitting of each piece as you would Mass produce several lengths then install then cut each piece to length and fit the cap. It’s one of the features I want to spend more time looking at. The models had some sections of the wood strip panels that were separate from the building.

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

I’d be curious to know how much was spent on all of those narrow wood strip claddings and ceilings. It would be a significant number and worth every penny. What a task, ensuring tens of thousands of strips are straight and true, finished
properly and installed one by one. Many varying lengths. Monumental task.

Heard from a guy who has a better idea than most it was 'a Peace Bridge worth.'



So ~$25M worth.