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Architects’ Statement19 August 2002 COLUMBIA
PUBLIC LIBRARY This project has given HHPA the opportunity to work together with the Columbia Library users, the library’s neighbors, City of Columbia staff, local builders and artists, library staff, and the members of the district library boards. The uniqueness of the Columbia community, along with the strong attachment that its citizens demonstrate for their library, has resulted in a building that reinforces the qualities of the region’s people. It is distinctive, specific to its location, and can be used in numerous ways by a variety of users. It has been a pleasure to participate in, and oversee, the programming, design and construction of the Columbia Public Library during the last four years. Just as novels are frequently organized around a series of episodes, the new Columbia Public Library is arranged as a sequence of related architectural incidents that can be enjoyed independently or as a single experience. Patrons can start or complete their visit in the children’s department, periodicals section, or a public meeting room, or they can engage in activities in a series of spaces. The users experience can consist of one portion of the building leaving other areas of the facility for future discovery and use. The expanded library and its reconfigured parking form a circular area within the landscaped rectangular city block that the library has occupied since 1971. The building occupies the northern portion of the site, while the southern granite-bordered semi-circle area contains parking and a patron drop-off area and service areas. The building is composed of four distinct geometric forms that house specific library functions: the conical entrance pavilion, the oblong spine, the cylindrical collections area and the administration rectangle. Each is clad in a different material to identify its individual function and to add to the composition of elements that comprises the entire structure. These materials are not simply wall enclosure or floor surface, but rather an integral part of the way visitors encounter and understand the library. They serve to orient patrons to the functions housed by the library. The library’s strong, identifiable geometric forms produce strong impressions to both the passerby and user. The conical lobby beckons equally from the main West Broadway pedestrian intersection and from the southern parking area. Faceted translucent and transparent glass provides this structure with a vibrant presence during the day as well as at night. The soft glow of the lobby is recognizable from various areas of central Columbia. Its two entrances, visible to pedestrians and from the parking area, are emphasized by Albert Paley’s sculptural artworks. In the lobby, the patron easily finds the Information Desk, the Circulation Desk and access to all library services. The transparent skin of the cone contrasts strikingly with the interior timber structure. Five centralized wood columns rise up to support the balcony in this lobby space and the Reading Room one level above, which affords panoramic views of Columbia. In contrast to the transparent lobby, the granite-clad semi-cylindrical shape enclosing the three levels of the library¹s collections areas conveys a sense of solidity. Containing 334,000 volumes along with study tables, lounge chairs, and 50 computer terminals, it is organized by the concrete structure of the 1971 library and a new timber structure that extends the original structure. Light enters through windows at the end of every major stack run, as well as through skylights and large reverse bay windows facing the sky. It is clad with red Missouri granite blocks that are stacked to accentuate their rough and striking surface. Each course of stone, regardless of size, supports the course above, providing the traditional sense of solidity and permanence. On the exterior, the gentle curve of the cylinder guides the eye to the lobby entry to the east and to the neighborhood on the west. Inside, the curved wall provides each portion of the collection with the sense of being contained within a single space. A zigzag shaped mezzanine floor overlooks the double-height second level of the collections area and by contrast emphasizes its semi-circular shape. From the parking and user drop-off area on the south side of the building, the variegated sandstone from southern Missouri gives a strong character to the rectangular administration area, which is set back to lead visitors to the entry by way of a ramp and stairs. Its surfaces, with two bands of rotated stones, are punctuated by large and small windows and service entries. The bright southern light accentuates the color and veining of the stone and the rotated blocks to create distinct and varying patterns. At the far western end of this sandstone shape is the sculptural, wrought iron entry to the Gene Martin Secret Garden. In this southwest-facing garden, which will be a natural gathering place in all seasons of the year, a number of the building’s distinct geometric shapes and materials are seen in together, and serve as the setting for the Tree of Knowledge sculptures from the 1971 library. We look forward to seeing the Columbia Public Library used and transformed by the citizens of Columbia. Malcolm Holzman,
FAIA. Partner-in Charge HARDY HOLZMAN
PFEIFFER ASSOCIATES |