0209 Design Process

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Thesis Statement

With the advancement of modern information technology, it has become more and
more convenient for people to obtain information through mobile phones and other
network platforms, and fewer and fewer people are willing to enter the library. Even
though libraries provide comprehensive information which is not available online, as
information sources they are largely made redundant by the internet.

The thesis focuses on how to make libraries relevant again. This tackles issues of the
original functional space not being rich enough, lack of outdoor communication space,
lack of innovation, and lack of vitality and attractiveness. The opportunity to use the
existing library system to improve multicultural integration, as a bid to make it relevant
to the community is also explored.

As a result, a new typology I called the information hub is mandated. Therefore, I hope
that my design can attract citizens' interest in visiting the library, at the same time
promote the interaction of people and the participation of social groups, and show the
inclusiveness of Toronto's multicultural societ

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Site Selection

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Site Selection （ St Clair Ave W & Bathurst St）

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Sun Path Analysis

This drawing shows the sun path on this site, I will fur ther explain the
elevation design according to the sun path and passive design in the last part.

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Wind Analysis

This drawing shows dominant wind direction in the

whole year, based on this analysis, I put the pets
shelter function on the south-east corner of the
buildings, so that the smelling of pets will have little
impact to other parts of the building.

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Issues

1. The appearance is ordinary, it is difficult to attract the attention of passers-by

and find that it is a library.

2. Lack of outdoor activities and communication space.

3. There is a large abandoned open space on the east side of the library, which
lacks functionality and landscape viewing.

4. Although the library has more functional spaces after renovation, it still lacks
innovation

5. The overall architectural atmosphere is dull and serious, lacking liveliness and
agility.

6. It lacks some distinctive functions, such as humanized and healing functions.

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Issues Solutions

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Issues Solutions

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Program List

Ground 136

Ground 150

Ground 40

Ground 120

Ground 180

Ground 112

Second 246

Ground 24

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Design Concept

‘Movable’ multicultural Info Hub

Diversity - Diversity of space, diversity of functions, diversity of cultures…

Culture - Cultural performance, cultural books, cultural exchange activities...

Space - Each color of the small grid represents a function, which can be flexibly combined according to
the needs of the site. It can be a flat space or a multi-layer space.

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Site Plan

0 10 20 40 80m

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Plans with Surroundings

0 1 2 4 8m

By a glass pathway, this new library connects with the old building. The main entrance is on the south
side of the building, facing the street. The parking will be arranged on the north side of the site. On
the ground level, there are mainly 4 functions, Reading, book exchange, exhibition and pets, all these
functions are connected by a world library hub.

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Plans

N N

Ground Floor Plan 0 1 2 4 8m

Upper Floor Plan 0 1 2 4 8m

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There is a cur ve entrance that guide people into the building
and people will use the spiral staircase to the upper level. On the
upper level, there will be a auditorium, as well as meeting room and
workshop.

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Sections Concept

Another concept is to have "space within space" , so various functions will be arranged like this
diagram. Additionally, more skylights and courtyard will introduce sunlight and fresh air into the
buildings, and people inside the building can feel the whole environment.

The functions in the building are arranged around a light well with 5.7 meters in diameter and 8.4
meters in height, which serves as the organizing “anchor” for all the spaces. The light well is both the
starting point and the end point. People will start from passing through the bottom part of the light
well, walk along the spiral staircase coiling up to the second floor and rooftop while inadvertently
looking back into the light well through the apertures at different levels.

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Sections

A A

Stucco

Glass

Concrete
0 1 2 4 8m

A - A Section

B B

Wood

B - B Section
0 1 2 4 8m

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Glass Corridor and Entrance Design

The old library and the new one will connect by the glass corridor, this path way can provide a great view to the
surrounding community and landscape. There is 1 meter height difference between old and new library, instead of
using staircase, here I will introduce a continuous ramp to connect these 2 buildings, so the wheelchair users can
access without any problems.

The area next to the glass pathway will be 2 reflection water pool. These 2 water pool can provide a comfortable
environment for local residents in summer and also could provide a peaceful mood for the library.

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Glass Corridor and Entrance Design

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Axnometric Drawing

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ADA Design and Emergency Exit

There are 2 lifts near the front and back door. These lifts ae ADA friendly and There are 2 emergency exits for people to leave the building. These 2
could also help people to move large items or furnitures, or prepare for the staircases are closed during fire and are on the opposite, so the travel distance
exhibition. will compliance with specifications.

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Book Exchange Space (136 m2)

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Reading Space (180 m2)

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Exhibition Space (150 m2)

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World library Hub / Info Hub (112 m2)

-The artificial intelligent book/library orientation and search system can locate the library all
around the world by scanning the code or app, and the internal space can immerse yourself in VR
to experience the positioned library for reading.

-The VR also can immerse people to experience and visit different famous library with different
architectural and interior features around the world.(some historical building….)

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World library Hub / Info Hub (112 m2)

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Auditorium and meeting room

Meeting room (86 m2)

There will be 3 main functions on the upper floor,
meeting room, auditorium and workshop space. The
meeting room can behave as a event space for residents
or used by students to make a speech or discussion.

Auditorium (220 m2)

Another main function on the upper floor will be a
auditorium, this auditorium can accomodate around 100
people.

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Pets shelter room

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Massing Model

Auditorium
Skylight
Glass Corridor
Reflection Pool
Courtyard Shaped by the sun path

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Material Selection

As for the material selection, since the old library was made by brick and concrete, and I think the new For the part of the building that does not need light transmission, I choose
one should welcome people from all communities, so the material should be glass, which can let people silver metal material. The frosted metal facade not only provides a futuristic
from outside clearly see what happens inside, and these people will have no burden to go inside, even image, but also reflects the surrounding environment on the facade.
just sit for a while or pass from the front entrance to the back door.

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Elevation Design

Material Reference

-The overall concept about the elevation design is

to make a contrast to the old brick librar y. By this
consideration, I choose some modern material as
the elevation design elements. There are mainly two
materials in my elevation design, transparent glasses and
silver medal panels. I try to provide a light and flexible
atmosphere for the new building.

On the ground level, this information hub will welcome

to people from all communities and it should let people
pass by know what happens inside, so mostly parts on
the first level are glasses. Based on the analysis of sun
path, on the second floor, some windows and opening
will be added for the meeting room and auditorium.
As for the workshop area, light from the skylight will
provide a gental light environment for people to read

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Material Choice

Concrete Bricks

These 4 materials are mainly about how

to related old library with the new one
from the visually perspective. I choose 4
materials, they are concrete, brick, ceramic
tile and stone. From the cost perspective,
the stone will be the most expensive
and the concrete will be the cheapest.
As for the construction time, concrete
may save a lot of time. From the climte
perspectie, ceramic tile is the most water-
proof material and can be used in wet
environment.

Ceramic Tiles Stone Panels

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Elevations

South Elevation 0 1 2 4 8m

West Elevation
0 1 2 4 8m

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Elevation Detailed Design

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Digital Detail & Wall Section

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 ‘Movable’ multicultural Info Hub

Diversity - Diversity of space, diversity of functions, diversity of cultures…

Culture - Cultural performance, cultural books, cultural exchange activities...

Space - Each color of the small grid represents a function, which can be flexibly combined according to
the needs of the site. It can be a flat space or a multi-layer space.

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Spacial Organization

By playing with the cubes, I tried to continue

my concept about boxes and gap. By using the
chipboard and calculating the actural area of
each space, I made the physicla model of another
proposal on this site, Taking the sound and light
into consideration, the red parts are noisy and
more public function , while the blue parts are
more quite and private function.

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I n t h i s p l a n d r aw i n g , t h e r e a r e 3
entrances on north east and west side.
As fpr the sputh side, I want to provide
a continuous elevation for the city. On
the south side, columns and upper level
massing could provide a flexible space
for people to stop or chat or socialize.
The main entrance will be set on the
east side, there will be a open entrace
with step to welcome local residents to
walk in.

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 Sketches

This sketch shows the concept of the book reading space,

The middle entrance space is on bot sides of the
The book reading room is a large open space with a
workshop space. The workshop space has a large
counter for borrowing and inquiry services on one side.
area of glass windows, which can provide enough
The book reading area has a large area of glass windows,
sunlight.
which can provide enough natural light.

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Sketches
This hand dr awing shows the entr ance and
information counter of the builidng, Both sides of the
entrance are information and consulation. The space
at the entrance space is 2 stories high.
This sketch shows ear ly concept of the
multifunction room. Since the internal function
of this space has not yet been determined,
the space layout is as regular as possible to
facilitate flexible usage later. Like other space,
the multifunctional space also has a large
window, which can get sufficient sunlight in
different time of the day.
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Sketches

This sketch shows the early concept of the book

exchange space. This space is a 2 stories space and
a staircase can take poeple to the second floor. Like
other spaces in this project, there are several large
glasse on one side of the pubic space. Further more,
all the interior activities can change by altering the
arrangement of the furnitures.

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Similiar with the initial concept, the most public and noisy functions will
be set on the ground level. The old library with this new project will be
connnected by a glass pathway. Based on the previous wind analysis, the
pets shelter will also be organized on the ground level and on the south-
west corner to reduce the effect of the smelling.
More quite and private functions will be organized on the second level. In
this plan drawing, I feel more interested about the layer of walls, and how
to make opening can affect the openess of the room. As there are 4 rows
of columns and mainly all of exterior & interior walls are along with these
columns, so it is a good opportunity to probe the wall and opening, and
how these elements will further guide my design outcome.
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Prototype Space Design 1

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Prototype Space Design 2

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Prototype Space Design 3

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