Designed in association with Snohetta, the Calgary Central Library exemplifies the desire to create a long-lasting, enjoyable, viable resource for the people and guests of Calgary. As the city’s largest public investment since the 1988 Olympics, the library signals the beginning of a new chapter in the life of the city, one centered on the creation and innovation of knowledge and culture, rather than the consumption of it.
The new building provides spaces for all types of people and activities—for social interaction and exchange, for studying and learning, for quiet and introspection—championing the unique civic function that libraries provide today.
- Location
- Calgary, AB
- Size
- 240,000 sq ft
- Client
- Calgary Municipal Land Corporation
- Completion
- 2018
- Sustainability Targeting LEED® Gold certification
- DIALOG Services
- Collaborators
Entuitive
MIG – Portico Group
Snøhetta
IB Jensen Masonry Ltd
Stebnicki Mah PartnersStuart Olson Construction
SMP Engineering
Architecture
Interior Design
Landscape Architecture
Mechanical Engineering
Sustainability + Building Performance Consulting
The dynamic façade is composed of a modular, hexagonal pattern that expresses the library’s aims to provide a space that invites in and embraces all visitors.
The entry, framed by the wood-clad arches that reference the chinook arch cloud formations common to Alberta.
Gently terraced slopes rise up to the heart of the building, allowing for people arriving from every direction to interact with the library.
The building is sited within a complex urban condition, where an operational transit line crosses the site from above to below ground on a curved half-moon path, dividing Downtown and East Village.
Inspired by the nearby foothills, the site is transformed into a terraced topography that rises up and over the existing Light Rail Transit line crossing the site.
Visitors encounter a lobby with a sky-lit atrium offering clear visibility of the library’s public program.
The unique hexagonal geometry of the façade balances the distribution of clear and fritted glass openings to control desired daylight levels for the broad variety of interior experiences.
The design realizes the vision for a technologically advanced public space for innovation, research and collaboration.
The library program locates lively public activities on the lower floors, gradually transitioning to quieter, focused study areas on the upper levels.
The Team
Rob Adamson, Principal“Calgarians wanted a place to be inspired by and to innovate in. This vision has been a driving force for the team throughout the design and construction of this library.”
Early concepts of the building’s dynamic façade. Photo credit: Snohetta
Early concepts of the building’s dynamic facade.
The connectivity around and across the site is part of the civic centre, engaging the Municipal Building, the library and extending up and through the library to engage with East Village.
Early design of the library’s atrium, serving as an orientation device for people to quickly grasp the circulation and organizational logic of the library.
