context of building

The relationship of the library to the neighbor­hood will only be as strong as the relationship of thebuilding to the library. As such, the building must bedesigned as both a systematic process and a workingmachine, rather than simply a static result.

The concept of pre-cast concrete presents manyfascinating possibilities for an urban setting wheretime and space for construction are limited. Thecolumns and terminating elements will be cast at aremote location, as ten-feet tall drums, whose jointswill correspond to the floor joints illustrated aroundthe building. Other concrete elements. such as foun­dation walls and floor slabs will be cast at the site.in preparation for the arrival of the pre-cast struc­ture. Shipped to the site over-night. and erected ina matter of days. this massive skeleton will seem toappear while the rest of the building grows. piece bypiece, around it.

67 I 68 building

Precast Concrete ExplodedAxonometric

Capital Detail

The utility walls book-ending the building consistof an independent steel structure, clad with metalpanels that are attached from within the utilityspace. Exterior panels are Core-10 steel, the colorand texture of which relate well to the brick facadeselsewhere in the neighborhood, while interior panelsare a brushed stainless steel. Joints of the panelsare articulated in the form of reveals that alsobecome the panels' attachment points. The panelsare arranged in a way that illustrates the floor jointsand the cornice of the building. bringing texture andrhythm to the facades.

69 I 70 buildling

[Left] Utility Wall Section

West Elevation

Steel Detail

Plan Detail

\

,./ .

~;r--',

\ /

lt::L

--..::/.=

In the library floors. floor-to-ceiling glazingsystems that allow daylight into the reading spacesmust also block harsh. direct sunlight. An electroni­cally operated system of frosted glass louverscreates a translucent screen of daylight when neces­sary. Twelve-inch deep, hollow metal mullionssupport clamps holding the glass louvers, as well ascarry the necessary electrical wiring. Built into theglazing system, thicker members aligned with thecolumn center-lines will carry roof drains down tothe ground level.

71 172 building

South Elevation

Concrete Detail

Plan Detail

[Right) Curtain Wall Section

c

r

O·. . .~ • • '* ....

- .... " .1'0__ . .0:. _ "

.. ~. ".'- ... ~. ~.. . .

1 I

In the Piano Nobile, immense steel trussessupport a glass roof. With similar details to thelibrary curtain walls. the roof system incorporatesfrosted glass louvers to diffuse harsh sunlightentering the space.

73 I 74 building

Truss and Roof Detail

[Right) Reflected Ceiling Plan.Piano Nobile

. \

Q.

J~uD 0'

As important as meeting the sky. the buildingmust also meet well with the ground. The rows ofconcrete columns terminate at the Assembly Level,with one long foot, which is essentially an exposedgrade beam. Below the slab, the load from this beamwill then be transferred into concrete caps and clus­tered groups of friction piles.

75 I 76 building

[Middle) Foundation Detail

[Right) Wall Section

":0- .rt::.

I