DiscoverDesign.org is produced by the

2013 national competition project | Library Redesign #187

By pcordova3781 | L Redesign your school library

Curious about the instructions for this library design problem? >>

Show Hide

Design Challenge Background

Libraries are no longer being used as places to store and distribute books, nor do they serve as place for only studying. With changes in technology libraries have been forced to change their ways of operating and instead of closing their doors they are adapting by becoming People-Centric instead of being Book-Centric. They become community resources for collaborating, creating, and making.

Design Challenge Brief

The challenge is to redesign your high school library and re-think how your school’s library should, or could, function as technology advances and our notion of study and working changes accordingly. What does a library look like that is designed around a person’s knowledge needs instead of only storing and cataloging books?

You may redesign the interior of the existing library space, expand on the existing space, or design a completely new addition on to your school building. Your design should contain all the spaces and functions required for a typical school library – a variety of seating options for students (inside and out!), as well as book and media storage, space for the librarian, computer areas, audio/visual labs, and meeting spaces. You may also want to include a cafe, information kiosk, or a workshop area. The redesigned library should include ideas for both old and new ideas for a library. You should also consider sustainability issues and the environmental impact of your design.

What should I upload in this Overview step?

Write a short description of the problems you will be trying to solve in redesigning your school library.

What is the Design Process?

How do you start a project? How do you get from the design problem to the final design? Learn more about the design process here.

Design Brief
Problem Statement: Redesign and improve my High School’s library.
Client: CAF
Target Consumer: High School students, teachers, school staff, etc…
Criteria: - create a new design for high school library
- Be green (eco-friendly)
- Construct computer area, audio visual labs, café and a workshop area
Constraints: - unlimited budget
- 5 foot walk space minimum
- Cannot remove necessary columns in library
- Has to be the same size as the current library
Brainstorm: - have a computer area with both macs and pc’s to satisfy students
- Have comfortable chairs in the reading area to allow them to read comfortably
- In the computer area put the computers right next to each other to conserve space
- Have a café so people could get a quick bite while doing work
- Allow everyone to get free Wi-Fi to speed up their internet
- Have an emergency exit just in case of a fire
- Have many windows to allow natural sunlight in to save energy

Curious about the instructions for this step of this library design problem? >>

Show Hide

In the Collect Info step of the design process, you try to gather as much information as possible about your existing school library, along with the students and staff who will use it.  You can't propose new solutions until you figure out and document what the existing problems are.

Try This

Think About

 

  • How many students need to be seated in the library during one period?
  • What types of furniture is used in the existing library? Does it need to be movable? Why or why not?

Try This

  • Interview students, librarians, and other staff about what they think of the existing library.  What changes would they make to spaces if they had a choice?
  • Make a list of those features that you really like about how your library looks and functions.
  • Make separate list of all the ways that your current library is not so well designed (chairs may be uncomfortable or the light is poor, or there are really great outdoor reading areas).

Try This

  • Take measurements of the overall dimensions of your existing library.
  • Take interior photos of the hallways and entrances that lead into your existing library.

Think About

  • What are the different pathways that students use to get into the library now?
  • What types of media are available in your library? How are they stored? Are books an important part of your library?

 

Try This

  • Visit Flickr or another photo sharing site and search for other types of libraries to determine good and bad examples of how libraries accommodate user’s needs, especially teens. 
  • Post images of buildings, colors, designs, textures, or other things that inspire you in this step. Make sure you give credit to your source!

Think About

  • Does your new school library need to look like the same typical library with long stack of books?  What other study spaces around the world are inspiring and interesting?

What should I upload in this Collect Info step?

Consider uploading photos, a short video, and a site plan drawing of your existing school library. Help us understand the existing conditions and the location of this room.

How do I collect Information?

How can collecting information help me with the design problem? Learn ways to collect information that will help you with the design process here.

pcordova3781's work for the Collect Information step:

Summary
I collected my information by searching topics about the project on the internet.
For the computer area, I will have both Macintosh and windows computers. The reason for this is...
0 comments
This comfortable chair would be perfect for readers in the reading area. The reader will be able to...
1 comment
These could be the computer desks used for the computer area part of library. It saves a lot of...
1 comment
These set of table and chairs would be perfect for a quick bite with you’re friends in the café...
1 comment
Carpet flooring would be perfect for the reading area, computer area and books area to avoid loud...
1 comment
I would want really large windows to let in the natural light when it is a sunny day to save light...
2 comments
I will put a café counter like this in the café area of the library so people could order quickly...
1 comment

Curious about the instructions for this step of this library design problem? >>

Show Hide

In the Brainstorm Ideas step of the design process, you put some early ideas down on paper that show what you've found in the Collect Info step.  You also might take more photos to show specific new ideas you have. 

The simple diagrams you make here will help you understand how the existing library location and design compare with your new ideas.

Try This

  • Walk around the exterior of your school building and take photos of possible locations for your new library with outdoor seating.
  • Draw a floorplan of your existing library and include it in this step.
  • You may also want to include a site plan of your school, showing where the library fits into the school.

Think About

  • Will this library replace your school's existing library or become an addition to a different part of the building? Will it be built in an empty lot or space?  Will it be underground or built on the roof?  You decide.

Try This

  • Use Google Maps to view and print out an aerial photo of your school. 

Think About

  • Spend some time looking at the aerial photo of your school.  What types of other buildings surround your school?  Homes, businesses, parks, parking lots, or an empty field?  How will these other buildings impact the design of your new library?
  • What types of streets surround your school? Are they busy or quiet?     

Try This

  • On a piece of tracing paper placed over the aerial photo of your school, sketch a diagram showing a large arc around the building to show the path of the sun throughout the day.  This drawing is called a site analysis diagram.  (Remember, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.)
  • Draw other lines on this diagram to indicate the best views around the building.

Think About

  • Based on the site analysis diagram you've sketched, where is the sun located throughout the school day? 
  • How can the indoor and outdoor seating areas of your new library be positioned to take advantage of the sunlight for good lighting?

What should I upload in this Brainstorm Ideas step?

Consider uploading hand sketches or a quick study model of all your first ideas. You can scan these drawings or take photos of your model.

How do I brainstorm ideas?

Brainstorming ideas is your first step towards making an informed decision to the design solution. Learn more about that here.

pcordova3781's work for the Brainstorm Ideas step:

Summary
I brainstormed ideas that would be eco-friendly and save energy for my high school.
- Dimensions: 34H x 22W x 25’’D. Seat Height: 18 ½’’ H Arm Height: 23 ½’’ H - Very comfortable...
1 comment
- 21.5 Inch iMac is perfect for the mac section of the computer area - Dimensions: Height: 17.7 in...
1 comment
Bubble Diagram for Library
2 comments
- Oak wood finish - Six columns for books and they are all reachable by student, teacher, etc… -...
1 comment
- 19 inch LCD monitor with touchscreen operation - Comes in a variety of colors - Small paper can...
1 comment
- Nice and simple for the café - The top of the table is made out of wood and so is part of the...
3 comments
- Great conference table - Can hold up to 6 people (6 chairs) - Mahogany finish on the table -...
1 comment

Curious about the instructions for this step of this library design problem? >>

Show Hide

In the Develop Solutions step, your rough ideas come together with drawings and models that can show others your solutions for a new library.

Important! Since DiscoverDesign is about investigating the design process, the other people viewing your project - other students around the country, your teacher, and the mentors - want to see how your ideas have changed over time. This means that while you're working on your digital model, you’ll want to be sure to keep re-saving it with a new file name every few days as you work through the steps.

Try This

  • Draw a sketch or use software such as Google SketchUp, AutoCAD, or Revit to illustrate your ideas.  You can upload photos (JPG files) from your SketchUp model, video fly throughs (FLV files) of your SketchUp model, or drawings (DWF files) from AutoCAD.

 

Try This

  • Consider including the following types of spaces and furnishings:
    - indoor seating area (tables, seating)
    - outdoor seating area (tables, seating)
    - book storage (shelves)
    - media storage
    - audio / visual labs
    - computers
    - meeting spaces
    - librarian desk (place to check out or return materials)
    - small office for library staff
    - cafe
    - bins for recycyling

What should I upload in this Develop Solutions step?

Consider uploading images (JPG, GIF) of your rough digital model. It's ok if your model is still a work in progress. Show an axonometric or perspective view with people, which will help others understand the scale of your library.

pcordova3781's work for the Develop Solutions step:

Summary
I developed solutions by using autodesk inventor to help me create my furniture and equipment for the library. Then i used photoshop to show how i made the object.
Book Shelve
2 comments
Mac Computer
1 comment
Information Kiosk
1 comment
Cafe Table
1 comment
Floor Plan
2 comments

Curious about the instructions for this step of this library design problem? >>

Show Hide

The final step of the design process is to create more finished drawings that illustrate your ideas to others. Remember, your explanation text, and the types of drawings, images, and models you share need to tell the whole story of your project to someone who may or may not have ever visited your school.

 

 

Continue to collect feedback from your peers, teachers and the online community to help you improve on your final design. Be sure to review and add constructive comments on the work of other students who are solving the same design problem. If your ideas change, be sure to explain your thinking and let others know about the new work you have posted to your account.

You might want to share floor plans, elevations, renderings of your digital model, photos of a physical model, or a video animation of your model.

But you aren't done yet! Be sure to comment on other projects in the competition to foster, encourage, and build an online design community of learners in DiscoverDesign.  CAF will also recognize students that provide both encouragement and constructive criticism on students' work throughout the run of the competition.

What should I upload in this Final Design step?

Consider uploading final hand or digital renderings, images of your finished physical model, or your finished digital model (as a DWF file).

How do I know I have my final design?

Consider all of the design considerations you made in your last step. Use feedback from students, teachers, and mentors to finalize your design. Learn more about finishing your design here.

pcordova3781's work for the Final Design step:

The student did not provide any content for this step.

Earn Skill Badges

Click here to learn more!

Recent Activity

See All Activity

Twitter Feed