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Redesign your school library | 2013 National High School Architecture Competition #284

By dclicks3113 | L Redesign your school library

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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.

The high school library is a deteriorating, oversized, and dark place. Cement walls with barely any windows stretch about two stories high and create an environment that you feel trapped in. Everything that make this library what it is is what you don’t want in a place you’re trying to relax or work. I will be creating an environment that can fit the needs of everyone who needs it. The typical clients of my space will of course be the students of the high school and the faculty. They need a space that is quiet to research and read. Also, they need computers to work on papers and a space for group projects to be done. I would like to include all of this into a more natural setting. I would like to incorporate wood into the flooring and earthy tones with a lot of sunlight so you don’t feel all cooped up within the school. The space should be easily controlled in regards to sound and activity. Also, this modernized space will provide space and technology in addition to the typical library which will forever be a great place to learn and collect information.

Comments

Great job on defining the problem, the end user, and the activities that will take place in this space. I also liked how you introduced some materials that you want to use so that you can improve the environment and I of course like the use of natural light. Something to keep in mind though when selecting your materials, is sound absorption, especially in a library. If you do want to use wood, then think of other ways you can cut down on the noise level such as wall coverings, etc.

By ODChicago, Designer at 07:03 am, 21 May 2013

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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.

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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?

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  • 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).

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  • 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?

 

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  • 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.

dclicks3113's work for the Collect Information step:

Summary
To collect information I visited my local middle school which recently got renovated. I took in all the pro's and con's of this space and planned to use it on my design.
This is a the middle school library. They have plenty of tables and chairs for students to use and...
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This is a the middle school media center. They have up to date technology and computers for...
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This is also form the middle school. Here is a photo that shows the large windows that allow...
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This is the notes I took while talking to the high school library. I used these notes to help...
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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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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?     

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  • 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.

dclicks3113's work for the Brainstorm Ideas step:

Summary
Brainstorming ideas first began with deciding on what I wanted to do. Did I want to renovate my library or start a completely new one.
This shows the floor plan of my high school. In the center you see the upper and lwoer library. I...
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This was my first original sketch. I kept the shape of the upper library and as a renovation I...
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This was another sketch. I made up my mind about the second floor addition and liked it alot. This...
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I had an idea about making the space more natural. I wanted to include plants to give it a natural...
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This shows how I would like the walls to look in most of the area. I would keep the book shelves on...
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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.

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  • 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.

 

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  • 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.

dclicks3113's work for the Develop Solutions step:

Summary
Developing solutions means to find the problems with the current library and correct them.
The colors in the high school are white, grey, and red. Also, all these colors just look old and...
1 comment
This is a mood board I created to show what type of things I want in this space. These aren't...
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This photo shows the vast open space created by a very high cieling. The high cieling creates room...
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The high cieling's create a dark, cement feel. By opening up walls to create windows and...
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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.

dclicks3113's work for the Final Design step:

Summary
My final design is one that any student at my high school would be proud of. This space is more efficient then our previous one and solves all the problems of the original library.
This is the second floor of the library. As you see there a plenty of stations with computers for...
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This is the first floor of my library. On the left you have spaces designated to classrooms. There...
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