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The go library redesign

By thegofirm | L Redesign your school library with new spaces for community groups

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Our mission at The Go International Design is to incorporate various architectural designs from all over the globe into our creations as well as bringing a sense of community for the users of our structures. Our next project begins at Mira Loma High School, where their library currently lacks space for their 1600 students, as well as storage. This small space is also in need of a make over that keeps up with 21st Century design. We hope to provide a modernistic library center that is an active community center, as well as an avid study and research environment for students.

Comments

I like your logo and your idea of incorporating international design ideas. Where are you looking for inspiration?

By sarahebrady, Architect at 11:43 am, 06 September 2011

Thank you. We are currently looking to draw inspiration from architecturally abstract buildings ideas. We are planning on incorporating fun shapes and colors. Mostly something along the abstract lines of http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rxCWsK1YEQE/TO5itzSVgAI/AAAAAAAAOAg/n_uUUq3A0P...
Also, there are not many abstract buldings in the US, you usually view them in other countries, so that is where we are incorporating the international ideas, at least up to this point.

By thegofirm, Student at 11:39 am, 07 September 2011

wow. the building in the link was crazy! it looked like something from the future - not from this planet. i like that you are thinking big and thinking different.

it seems like your team wants a very contemporary, cutting edge design. you can definitely look to recent projects in china or the middle east for inspiration - but keep in mind that you are designing a library, and that the architecture needs to support the functions of a library - not just look cool:)

here are links to a few cool library projects -

http://www.arcspace.com/architects/koolhaas/Seattle/
Seattle Public Library by Rem Koolhaas/OMA

http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/building_types_study/librari...
Musashino Art Library by Fujimoto

http://architecturerevived.blogspot.com/2008/10/phoenix-public-library.html
Phoenix Central Library by Will Bruder

By sarahebrady, Architect at 08:37 am, 08 September 2011

We are still in the process of developing the basic shape of the buliding, however, we know that we want to have as much natural light as possible. The pictures of the terrace in the Seattle Public Library is what we would like the whole library to be like. The ideas for the walls being bookshelves was also very interesting. We will try to make up new ideas on how we can store the books. We are going to upload our sketch ideas either today or tomorrow. Also we will be incorporating a lot of green energy ideas into our design so we would like our bulding to be able to naturally take advantage of the climate and sunlight. We will keep drawing ideas on how the library could be contemporary but that can also function well as a library. Thank you so much for your advice and links. They helped alot. =)

By thegofirm, Student at 11:59 am, 08 September 2011

Looking forward to seeing some of your proposals to solve the issues with the current library.
Mr. Cox

By Prindle_18, Educator at 09:10 am, 12 September 2011

The Reference Room has 12 (not 10) computers. The textbooks are stacked on the floors because there is no other place to store the books when they are returned at the end of the school year. Administration and the librarian and textbook clerk are working on securing a separate place to store the books as the present situation does not lend itself to starting up library services including students studying in the library and teachers/classes being able to use the library at the beginning and end of the year. I look forward to new thoughts and a design. Sarah Gibson, Librarian, Mira Loma High School Library

By sgibson, Educator at 12:18 pm, 15 September 2011

Collect Instructions

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Gather more information about your existing school library by taking photos, sketching, conducting interviews, and doing additional research.

Think About:

  • What are all the different functions / activities that currently take place in your school's library?
  • Do you enjoy working and reading in this room now?  Why or why not?
  • How is the library different than a typical classroom?
  • When you study at home, where and how do you read? (On the couch, on the floor, on your bed, outside, at the kitchen table, at a desk in your bedroom?)  Could similar comfortable places be designed for your new school library?
  • Will you redesign the interior of your existing school library or will you build a new addition for these spaces?
  • How do students collaborate around technoloyg with other students?  Where do you do this now?
  • In what ways could your school building become a small community center for residents after school hours?

Try This:

  • Take photos of your school's library, the media center, the study hall, or any other space where students are hanging out.
  • Measure the overall size of your school's existing library.  Is it crowded now or does it have empty space?
  • Measure the number of linear feet of book shelves in your school library.  Ask the librarian if they feel your library should contain more or less space for bound books?
  • Take photos of where students are studying at school - either independently or in a small group - throughout the school day.
  • Ask your school's administrator about any types of community groups that may already use your school building in the evening.
  • Interview your school librarian and several classmates.  What do they think about the existing library?  What changes would they make if they had a choice?
  • Make a list of all the different functions / activities that currently take place in your school's library.
  • Make a list of all the things you like about your library.  Ask several friends and your teachers their opinions.
  • Several new public libraries have opened recently around the world.  What can you learn from these?  Investigate... (links to come)
  • Some of the most impressive historic libraries provide an awe-einspiring place to learn.  What can you learn from these?  Check out...(links to come)

thegofirm's work for the Collect Information step:

Summary
We chose to recreate the library because it is an area that serves as a vital source of knowledge and learning for the school.
This is the left most corner of the main room of the library. You can see part of the emergency...
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This is the outside hallway that leads to the A wing, which houses the library on the bottom floors...
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This is the only entrance to the library. As you can see the door is tiny and only allows for one...
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This is the entry way for the library. They have two security sensors as soon as you walk in, in...
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This counter is located in the main room of the library, right along the entry way with the...
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This room is accessible from the main room. It has a total of ten computers along the walls. This...
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This room is accessible from the second room. It houses all the rest of the computers and is used...
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Brainstorm Instructions

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Develop preliminary sketches to help you puzzle through new ideas and solutions.

Think About:

  • Many libraries just have rows of book shelves and a few tables and chairs for students.  But is this the best way for students to access, learn, and share information today?
  • How does collaborative learning occur in a library?
  • How can you provide both quiet and noisy learning spaces in a library?
  • Does the library have a separate entrance so community groups can enter/exit in the evening without having to walk through the entire school building?

The library will need to include four big types of spaces and furnishings:

  • a reading room / study loungue (tables with computers, chairs, couches, etc)
  • book storage and a circulation book check-out counter (shelves, work counters)
  • librarian's office and workspace
  • meeting rooms (tables, chairs, technology options)

Try This:

  • You'll need to decide where will this new library be located in your school.  Are you redesigning the exsiting space or building a new addition?
  • Walk around the exterior of your school building and take photos of your existing library and / or a possible location for a new library addition.
  • Use Google Maps to view and print out an aerial photo of your school.  Identify a location for the library.
  • Contact your school's building or maintenance department.  They may already have a floor plan of your school to use as a reference.
  • Sketch bubble diagrams to figure out the spatial relationships between the various rooms and spaces in your new or redesigned library.  Which spaces will be next to each other?  Which spaces should not be next to each other?
  • Make lots of sketches to get your early ideas down on paper.  Learn from each different idea.

Your design or redesign of a new library might include the following types of sizes of spaces.  These are just suggestions.  Feel free to revise this and incorporate other spaces you think may be needed.

Library space planning rules of thumb:

space 800
students in your school		 1200
students in your school		 1600
students in your school		 2400
students in your school
Reading Room / Study Lounge with computers
 1,400
square feet		 2,100
square feet		 2,800
square feet		 4,200
square feet
Book storage and book check-out counter
 1,400
square feet		 2,100
square feet		 2,800
square feet		 4,200
square feet
Librarian's office / workroom 120
square feet		 120
square feet		 240
square feet		 240
square feet
Meeting rooms 1 room at
250 square feet		 2 rooms at
250 square foot each		 3 rooms at 250 square foot each 4 rooms at 250 square foot each
TOTAL 3,170
square feet		 4,820
square feet		 6,590
square feet		 9,640
square feet

thegofirm's work for the Brainstorm Ideas step:

Summary
http://s1103.photobucket.com/albums/g477/thegofirm/Library%20Design/ our extended picture blog According to the school’s librarian Mrs. Gibson, the issues with the library are as follows:
We are looking to having a more casual seating area for people to calmly read, study and enjoy...
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Outline of the first floor.
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Second floor outline
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These flourescent light bulbs are energy efficient saving 90% more energy, and more environmently...
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The garden will consist from flowers and herb plants. It will be a place for people to walk around...
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This is inspiration for the building design,it has allot of curves and shapes which we want to...
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Develop Instructions

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Now's the time to take what you've learned from the steps above and develop your own solution for a new or redesigned library.

Try This:

  • If possible, build a rough physical study model of your library.  You can't really understand the building's shape until you make a quick study model.  Don't worry about making a fancy finished model at this time.  Instead, use cardstock, scissors, and tape to quickly create a large 3D form.  See how it looks.  Break off different sections, add new pieces, and try out new ideas.
  • Take a photo of your model and upload it to your student user account here.
  • Sketch or use software such as Google SketchUp, AutoCAD, or Revit to get your ideas out of your head to share with others.

thegofirm's work for the Develop Solutions step:

Summary
We are getting rid of the water garden in the library, and instead incorporating a flower garden in the entry way to the library.The flower garden will consist of a lot of water efficient plants that
This is the location of our library. We will be moving the outside basketball courts to an area of...
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This is a birds eye view of a 3-D model of our building on Sketch-up.
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Our 3-d model is in process of construction.
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The community hall can also be rented out for uses such as private parties, dinners, and anything...
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This is the Open Book structure that will be in the front of the library. "ML" will be on...
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Google Sketch- up First Floor Sitting area and front desk and bookshelves .
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The ML Book in sketch up
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Final Instructions

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thegofirm's work for the Final Design step:

Summary
Director of Community Relations:
This is the entrance of the redesigned library.
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The first floor.
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The second floor with computer area.
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The roof-top Community Garden, you can see the wind turbines and the solar panels.
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Front view.
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Back view.
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Building in natural light.
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