The new Halifax public library postures itself to be a landmark in the historic setting of Halifax. The building is a collaboration between Fowler Bauld & Mitchell Ltd. of Halifax and Schmidt, Hammer Lassen of Germany. The space was conceived of with the public through a series of five focus groups through which the following aspirations were identified:
a hub for the city
awe-inspiring
innovative architecture
green building
flexible spaces
accessible and inclusive
inspiring
social interaction and engagement
It is difficult to know the success of this project for we have yet to interact with the space as a built environment. The fulfillment of these criteria remain to be seen in the coming years.
Referencing the working process of Peter Hubner, mentioned in the previous post, I wonder if further insight could be had into the way we design a space intended for a wide range of users. What is a library through the eyes of a child, what is the same space through the eyes of a student, a senior citizen, a mother? If the role of the architect/designer was shifted to facilitator and the creative role was given to the user, would we glean a deeper insight into the needs of the end user?
You can read more about the community involvement in the development of the public library here.
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