SURREY LIBRARY

INTRODUCTION• With advances in easily available electronic information,

the role of libraries is changing and providing appropriate spaces for evolving library activities is now the priority.

• These activities range from the traditional research and education roles, to the need for libraries to become a point of connection and even a gathering place in the community.

• As a result, Bing Thom Architects’ design for the new Surrey City Centre Library includes a diverse mixture of large interconnected “high” spaces with generous natural light.

• More intimate spaces to accommodate the book stacks and individual activities like studying and writing.

• These spaces are scattered and modulated throughout the complex, revealing themselves as the patrons explore the building.

• As Thom says, “The design evolves out of the need to provide a space for reading, studying, and above all, gathering as a community. This building is very flexible and will accommodate all of these purposes, but does so in a way that will intrigue and entice the users through the building.”

LOCATION

• Country Canada • Type Public • Established 2011 • Location Surrey, British Columbia • Branch of Surrey Libraries Collection • Size 100,000 items Other information• Director Melanie Houlden, Chief Librarian[1] • Website Surrey City Centre Library Blog

PLAN OF BASEMENT

SPACES IN BASEMENT

• FUTURE PARKING LOT• VALVE ROOM• RECYCLE ROOM• TRANSFORMER ROOM• COMMUNICATION ROOM

SPACES ON GROUND FLOOR

• MAIN ENTRANCE• BOOK DROP• IMFORMATION DESK• LOBBY• OUTREACH• CHILDREN’S AREA• MULTIPURPOSE ROOM

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

• WORLD ROOM• GENERAL WORKROOM• STAFF LOUNGE• LITERACY CENTRE

SPACES ON SECOND FLOOR

SPACES ON THIRD FLOOR

• LIVING ROOM• STUDY CARRELS• MULTIPURPOSE ROOM• OFFICES• GENERAL WORKSPACE • ADULT NON FICTION• TEEN ROOM

SPACES ON FOURTH FLOOR

• CLASSROOM• SILIENT STUDY• MULTIPURPOSE AREA• STUDY AREA

SPACES ON ROOF PLAN

• ARTIUM ROOF• UPPER ROOF• LOWER ROOF• ROOF TOP MECHANICAL

SECTIONS

MODEL OF GROUND FLOOR

MODEL OF FIRST FLOOR

MODEL OF SECOND FLOOR

MODEL OF THIRD FLOOR

MODEL OF ROOF PLAN

SIDE ELEVATION

DESIGN• Its design features large windows, a welcoming entrance with clear

sight lines that allow visitors to quickly orient themselves in the space, and an upward winding central atrium and two skylights that allow natural light into the building. The form of the building is inspired by the curvature of the adjacent University Drive, with an added dynamism provided by outward-sloping walls.

• While seemingly complex, by utilizing state of the art computer modeling software, the architects were able to ensure that the concrete formwork was highly efficient and easy to construct. The exterior concrete structure is carefully detailed as the final surface, thereby eliminating the need for expensive building cladding. Designed to LEED standards, the outward sloped walls also provide solar shading.

SIDE ELEVATION

EAST FACE FACADE

• One of the most dramatic spaces is the “living room,” a casual reading area adjacent to massive windows overlooking a future public plaza to the east, a double height space that is not apparent until you reach the third floor.33

SIDE ELEVATION

INTERIOR OF LIBRARY