Idea Exchange

“I particularly remember visiting the various branches of Idea Exchange for the first time when I moved to Cambridge. Idea Exchange is a network of public institutions that act as community centers and libraries within the city. Rather adopting a traditional centralized approach that would have concentrated all public services within one cultural hub, Idea Exchange deployed a system of 5 smaller-scale buildings over the city’s territory. Cambridge was created in the 1970s through the amalgamation of three small townships: Galt, Preston, and Hespeler. Dividing the cultural offer of Idea Exchange therefore allowed to distribute its cultural offer across the territory and its historical and cultural neighbourhoods.

The institutions’ programming aims to provide an alternative to the traditional public library, with technological equipment (3D printers, large format printers, green screens, film editing softwares, etc.), children services (playrooms, workshops), art and craft spaces (art gallery, sewing machine), and available-to-lend equipment (gardening equipment). This public offering, in conjunction with the proximity of the institutions to the communities they service, encourage creativity and belonging among the local population by providing access to specialized resources and spaces.

On my first visit, I had the opportunity to visit three of the five branches of the institution. What I noticed was a diverse clientele made up of families, teenagers, adults, and seniors all cohabiting within the spaces and making use of their various resources. All three institutions had slightly different configurations of users and uses. Hespeler’s Idea Exchange had an older population that mostly seemed to be working on the provided computers and workstations; Queen’s Square’s was filled with children and teenagers that played and hung out, and the Old Post Office had simultaneous workshops and events going on.

In addition to being spaces of high social quality, the Idea Exchange branches also reflect architectural quality. The Old Post Office, notably, has been awarded several prizes since its initial opening. Most of these buildings reuse key heritage buildings, complemented by thoughtful contemporary additions.

During my time living in Cambridge, I had the opportunity to make use of the institution’s equipment and could realize firsthand the impact that these buildings had in the overall social fabric of the city.” (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2024, p.25).

Images:

Idea Exchange – Queen’s Square (cc. under.thesun)

Idea Exchange – Old Post Office (RDHA Architects)

Idea Exchange – Hespeler (Doors Open Ontario)