Calgary Central Library – Calgary

“I particularly remember visiting the new Calgary Central Library. The use of wood finishes gives an immediate feeling of warmth, welcoming, and comfort – before even entering the building. The large overhang at the entry makes you feel like you are welcomed in before you are physically inside. This kind of welcoming, flowing movement continues into the building where the wood motif takes over the central atrium and the configuration of stairs and ramps guides you gently but purposefully around the library, offering areas of reprieve to explore the stacks and reading areas. I think the way that circulation is facilitated here encourages people to use the library as it should be used – as a safe gathering space, a place of learning and exploring, and as an environment that offers comfort.

The use of natural light via oculi in the library also adds to this quality in the built environment. The large, slightly shaded oculus in the central library gives a warm light that is constantly changing throughout the day. I think that having this environmental cue of the passage of time is really important for our psychological wellbeing, as it helps to reinforce our internal clocks. The oculus, and the windows around the exterior of the building, give us a connection to outside – the oculus connects us to the natural environment by way of the sun (or lack thereof, on rainy days) and the windows connect us to the urban environment and the neighbourhood surrounding the library, keeping us aware of our connections to each other. There is a second oculus in the great reading room which is diffused instead of direct, but still maintains a warmth that contributes to the quality of the environment – especially since that reading room is largely wood finish; these natural elements work together to create a harmonious welcoming environment. Finally, the form of the library adds to its quality because of its connection to the city via incorporation of the train route through/under the building, and because its curvature brings something novel to the area and encourages us to think about new, innovative possibilities for our environment and beyond. By having such an integrated but unique-looking building, it challenges people’s notion of a building as a box using all electric lighting and HVAC, and encourages us to consider what else could be changed for the better in our built environment.” (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2023, p.42).

Google map link: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Central+Library/@51.0453808,-114.0575273,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x537170003cb69fe3:0x65642e5fb9371572!8m2!3d51.0453775!4d-114.0549524!16s%2Fg%2F11cn9rym65