Halifax Central Library – Halifax

"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