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2013 national competition project | Library Redesign #102

By Flowmaster560 | 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.

History:

Lincoln East High school was opened in the fall of 1967. It was the fourth high school to be built in Lincoln. Our colors are blue and white and our mascot is a Spartan. The school originally grades 7-12 but in 1995 we got rid of the junior high kids and our school was for grades 9-12 only. Lincoln East has an enrollment of about 1475 students. The school wasn’t renovated until 1997 when the district decided to make major changes to the school. In ’97 the school made a huge addition to our athletic wing which included the wrestling room our basketball gyms and our weight room. Also our commons area was converted from an outside space into an indoor space so the student could use the space year round. The next remodel came in 2009 costing the school 24 million dollars. This renovation included our auditorium, a new HVAC system and our lunch room.

Design Problem:

Our school library has some important issues that need to be addressed. The first problem I would address is the poor use of space. The library is scattered with shelves of books and tables and computers. Everything is just everywhere and the spaces need to be better defined. Another issue at hand is the space in which the librarians work. They have one gigantic desk in the back of the library that just doesn't work. There are papers are scattered everywhere and maybe that's possible due to the librarians but I think that space could be designed better to help the librarians and staff stay more organized. The final issue is just the overall appearance of the library. It's plain boring and there isn't a comfortable feel that all libraries should have. I believe if I address these issues that my school's library will be a place that kids want to visit, instead of them being forced to go there.

Design Solution:

In the above paragraph I have stated a few major design issues of my school's library. I will now explain a couple of solutions I have thought of in order to hopefully fix the problems the library has. My first solution is to define the spaces in the library better. I want the books to be in a certain area and I want the computers to have there own area. I think in doing this the library's traffic would flow better. The second thing I will address is the spaces for the librarians. I want to create an area where there is better organization and more confined from the main part of the library. The third and final thing I want to change is just the basic design of the space. The walls need to be painted a better color and the space just needs to be more warm and inviting. My main goal is to create a place that kids don't want to leave, and rather a place they want to go to.

Comments

I like how you gave background on the school to better understand the situation. It is also good that you clearly defined the design flaws and how you are going to resolve them. It sounds like you are really thinking about space planning which is great! I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with! Also, it is a good idea to have an English teacher look over all of your summaries to check spelling, grammar, and word usage. You just don't want any of those mistakes to take away from how judges read your design.

By ODChicago, Designer at 08:40 am, 21 May 2013

I like how you gave background on the school to better understand the situation. It is also good that you clearly defined the design flaws and how you are going to resolve them. It sounds like you are really thinking about space planning which is great! I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with! Also, it is a good idea to have an English teacher look over all of your summaries to check spelling, grammar, and word usage. You just don't want any of those mistakes to take away from how judges read your design.

By ODChicago, Designer at 08:43 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?

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).

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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?

 

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.

Flowmaster560's work for the Collect Information step:

Summary
My class to a little field trip to our library for a period during the week. I took photos of the library during this time in order to help me during the brainstorming part of the project.
As you can see here the entrance to our library is not very inviting. I believe this is an issue...
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This is the check out center/librarians desk/ printing area/chaos. The staff needs there own place...
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This is the main computer area for our library. It is right in front of the check out desk and this...
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This is one of two work areas in our library and as you can see it doesn't really have that...
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This is where most of the offices are in the library. They are located in the way back and they are...
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Through the windows is our schools common area. This is where kids gather before, during and after...
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This is the current layout of the schools library.
1 comment

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

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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.

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?     

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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.

Flowmaster560's work for the Brainstorm Ideas step:

Summary
I thought of ways to make the space more inviting and fun for kids. A place where they want to visit every day.
This is a redesign of the courtyard not being used. It can be used on a cloudy or sunny day and the...
1 comment
Using couches or a more comfortable form of seating would really enhance the library in the design...
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Painting the walls or adding a fun geometric design of carpeting would give the library a fun more...
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Replacing the old boring bookshelves with a new ones that look better and function better would...
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Making sure to use all the natural light given off from our schools common area would be a good way...
1 comment
Incorporating a courtyard into the design would be a nice way to mix inside and outside spaces....
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This is the new design for the Lincoln East Library.
2 comments

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

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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.

Flowmaster560's work for the Develop Solutions step:

Summary
Here I have placed new revit models of my library design.
This is the new office area for the library. It is located in the northwest corner of the library.
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This is the brand new check out center in the library. This is located in the northeast corner of...
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This is the new lab area for students that do not bring there own device from home. It is located...
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This is a sample of what an office could possibly look like. The offices can be used for the...
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This one of two lounges located in the library. It is a place for kids to study or read or even...
2 comments
This is just a plain old work area. It is located right next to the lab stations and is designated...
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This is the book area. Its close to both lounges but at the same time farther away from the work...
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Curious about the instructions for this step of this library design problem? >>

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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.

Flowmaster560's work for the Final Design step:

Summary
These all my rendered final designs of the brand new Lincoln East High school Library.
Rendered model of the Office Area.
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Rendered model of the Check Out Center.
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Rendered model of the Book Area.
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Rendered model of the Lab Area.
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Rendered model of the Seating Area.
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Rendered model of the Work Area for Students.
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The final design of the layout of the library.
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