Halifax Central Library

Je me souviens de ma première visite à la bibliothèque centrale d'Halifax lors de son ouverture en 2014. Je n'avais que 10 ans, mais j'ai tout de suite compris que je me trouvais devant quelque chose qui allait avoir un impact considérable sur ma vie. Debout dans le hall d'entrée, je levais les yeux vers les escaliers entrecroisés entre les étages, et je n'avais jamais rien vu de tel dans ma vie. Même aujourd'hui, 11 ans plus tard, la bibliothèque reste un élément essentiel de ma vie. C'est un refuge proche de l'agitation de la ville pour tout le monde, et un endroit où je me rends souvent lorsque j'ai besoin de travailler tout en faisant une pause loin du campus universitaire. La bibliothèque possède de nombreux atouts qui la rendent vraiment spéciale. Les nombreux espaces adaptés à différents groupes d'âge ou besoins, le système de soutien qu'elle offre aujourd'hui aux personnes à faibles revenus et, bien sûr, ses livres extraordinaires. Je ne me lasserai jamais de l'atmosphère calme qui règne à chaque étage et de la vue sur la ville qu'offrent les grandes baies vitrées.

"I particularly remember visiting the Halifax Public Library. Throughout the library, there are areas with desks, chairs, couches of varying sizes, single use tables, as well as computers owned by the library itself. It is easy and acceptable to move things around, to reposition oneself and take up the space that makes the most sense for them – there are outlets on the floors that make it easy to work wherever without having to be concerned about being too close to a wall. Users are also in control of things like blinds in most areas, allowing them to control how much light they are getting at a given time. There are areas that are less malleable, such as the stacks and the theatre, but there is a distinct sense that there is a very wide range of how the space can be used appropriately." (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2024, p.31) Image: CBC News; Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (article) Caption: Many individuals use the available desks, couches, and computers across two floors of the Halifax libraries. The space is wide open with large windows and high ceilings.

"To me, the Halifax Public Library is the perfect example of quality in the built environment. The building combines an architecturally interesting form with important and diverse programming. The library design consists of a diverse range of spaces, ensuring there is a spot to go whether one wants to study, work, read, play with their kids, eat, or socialize. The form – reminiscent of stacked books, adds a landmark to the urban fabric of downtown Halifax. The ample exterior space gives much needed gathering and seating space on Spring Garden Road – a busy road with few spaces to stop and sit out of the way of traffic The library programming creates a welcoming environment for a wide range of people. Instead of just being a place for books, the library creates a community hub and gathering space through programming ranging from a seed library to a food bank to a performance space. This varied programming creates an inclusive environment that welcomes Halifax’s diverse population." (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2024, p.29). Google map link: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Halifax+Central+Library/@44.6427638,-63.5777588,734m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4b5a223391907ad3:0x520186fbd5f800ac!8m2!3d44.6427638!4d-63.5751839!16s%2Fm%2F0zmy64q?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkxOC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

"I particularly remember visiting the Halifax Central Library, after it was completed. On this vacant site for years, nothing happened, a major intersection of the main street (Spring Garden Road) was a non-place. Then, through the addition of a place for people in the form of a public library, the entire corner, and the street, and downtown Halifax was transformed. Lived experience was ever-present in my first visit to the Halifax Central Library: in addition to books, there were curated art installations, there was a community-run café (two I believe) in place of a commercial chain; there were books of course, but the place was filled with light, and was a hive of activity, the proof that the place was inclusive. This was carefully designed, from the grand circulation of the stair, to the children’s play area and library, tucked away from the street but very visible and easy to watch children in. As in a piazza, circulation plays a huge role in moving through a series of intimate spaces and tying them together. I ran into an award-winning composer from CBC who told me that since the library opened, it was now his second ‘home’ and his office. This is truly public architecture. And then, moving to the top of the building, there is an additional “room in the city” – a public room that one can rent for birthdays or conferences, that has a 360-degree view of Halifax, from the large harbour port to the 18th century Citadel. This room is tall enough to look over other buildings and makes one feel on the same level of Citadel Hill. Most importantly, this building that boasts design quality now, for the first time, offers an experience to Haligonians that was not available before. This glass pavilion over the library is an entirely new experience, and one that takes your breath away. This is the power of well designed, inclusive architecture. And next, moving back down and exiting the building, it is set back to create an outdoor plaza, where music and performances can take place in good weather – which is a few months in summer and fall in the Maritimes. This is an essential part of the program of this library complex, a well-designed addition right next to the School of Architecture. What better place for students to study a qualitative social condenser that promotes learning and living together." (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2023, p.46). Google map link: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Halifax+Central+Library/@44.6427638,-63.5777588,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4b5a223391907ad3:0x520186fbd5f800ac!8m2!3d44.6427638!4d-63.5751839!16s%2Fm%2F0zmy64q?hl=en

"I particularly remember visiting the Halifax Central Library. The library is a neighbour to my School of Architecture, making it a space which has welcomed me for many years and across many roles — tourist, student, friend, book borrower, computer user, etc. With these shifting roles, the library somehow shifted the way I experience it. I was a tourist in Halifax the first time I visited the Library. Upon approach, I was immediately taken by the shifting glass volumes and large central staircases which weave overtop each other. In these first moments, I interpreted the building as large, open, bright, and public. My perception of the library began to change with more and more visits. As a student, I learned how the library could be a place with quiet enclaves for reading and writing, large tables for group meetings, dark rooms for viewing film, and an auditorium for public debate and performance. Corners of the library and the spaces between the stacks served as refuge for grieving, confiding, and sharing intimate moments with friends. It’s funny that the expected use of the library — somewhere to reference books, access resources, and gain knowledge — was the use I relied upon the least. I think it is due to its range of spatial qualities — light/dim, soft/hard, high/low, natural/built, loud/quiet, big/small — that I keep getting surprised with how I can use the same space repeatedly. Beyond my own experience, I have witnessed the library become home, sometimes in a literal sense, to many people. The library’s outdoor spaces to the front and back share similar contrasting qualities to the interior. A combination of landscape, hardscape, lighting, seating, and coverings make the exterior spaces suitable for many uses. I have seen art shows, protests, busking, dancing, eating, crying, shelter seeking, animal handling, among other activities take place around the building." (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2023, p.44). Google map link: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Halifax+Central+Library/@44.6427638,-63.5777588,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4b5a223391907ad3:0x520186fbd5f800ac!8m2!3d44.6427638!4d-63.5751839!16s%2Fm%2F0zmy64q?hl=en

"I particularly remember visiting…the Halifax Central Library for the first time and feeling an incredible sense of community. Not only is the visual construction of the library striking, but the creation of distinct spaces on each level, all providing different environments and purposes, is rather functional. While there are designated spaces, such as areas intended for children, the uses of most of the spaces are formed through patterns of use. For instance, while there is no sign claiming the fourth floor as the “study area,” most people on this floor (especially along the desks facing the windows) use this space for quiet work. By implementing various seating options, particular areas lend themselves more to relaxing reading, such as the fifth-floor leisure chairs, or for socializing, such as the spaces located by the two cafés. In addition, the Central Library hosts daily events that range from free music performances to workshops on filing taxes. While the library is restrictive in terms of its hours, the space is open to the public and used by various sub-communities and individuals to convey a sense of publicness, community, and collaboration. Evidently, the Central Library serves as a hub for the Halifax community fostering the inclusivity and positive experiences that I see as so critical to the quality of a space." (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2023, p.24). Google map link: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Halifax+Central+Library/@44.6427638,-63.5777588,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4b5a223391907ad3:0x520186fbd5f800ac!8m2!3d44.6427638!4d-63.5751839!16s%2Fm%2F0zmy64q?hl=en

I particularly remember visiting the Halifax Central Library in my community, a beacon of quality in the built environment. Designed with meticulous attention to detail by architect firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen in collaboration with local firm Fowler Bauld & Mitchell, this architectural masterpiece embodies the essence of functionality, aesthetics, and emotional resonance. As I stepped inside, I was immediately struck by the soaring atrium flooded with natural light, creating a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere. The diverse amenities catered to every visitor's needs, from cozy reading nooks to state-of-the-art technology labs. However, its profound impact on the community set the Halifax Central Library apart. It served as more than just a repository of books; it was a dynamic hub of learning, creativity, and social interaction. From educational workshops to cultural events, the library fostered a sense of belonging and connection among residents of all ages and backgrounds. Its inclusive design ensured accessibility for everyone, promoting equity and inclusivity within our community. The library's commitment to sustainability was evident in every aspect of its design, from energy-efficient systems to the use of locally sourced materials. This dedication to environmental stewardship not only reduced the library's ecological footprint but also set an inspiring example for future projects in our city. Reflecting on my experiences at the Halifax Central Library, I am reminded of the transformative power of quality in the built environment. It can enrich our lives, inspire creativity, and foster a greater sense of community and belonging. As we continue to strive for excellence in our urban spaces, the Halifax Central Library serves as a shining example of what can be achieved when functionality, aesthetics, and emotional resonance are seamlessly integrated into the fabric of our built environment." (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2024, p.21). Image taken from (halifaxcentrallibrary.ca) Google map link:  https://mapss.app.goo.gl/vFQyJVEW5x71CgJj8