The Parkdale Public Library is for Us

public libraries;architecture;affordances;aesthetics;parkdale public library;democratic engagement;humane architecture

Siu, Alexandraadvisor:Revington, Dereck ; affiliation1:Faculty of Engineering ; Revington, Dereck ;

University of Waterloo

关键词: parkdale public library;    democratic engagement;    affordances;    Master Thesis;    public libraries;    humane architecture;    aesthetics;    architecture;   

Others  :  https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/bitstream/10012/14834/5/Siu_Alexandra.pdf

瑞士|英语

来源: UWSPACE Waterloo Institutional Repository

【 摘 要 】

The Parkdale Public Library in Toronto is an illustration of whatremains of democracy today. While government is deeminglibraries irrelevant with their funding cuts, and privatized cafes aretaking over as 'public’ social spaces for the middle-class, the ParkdalePublic Library still exists as a needed free resource for everyone.In this library, away from the rest of the city, two unsuspectingindividuals from different walks of life meet in line while waiting forthe computers, and a senior woman is reading her poetry aloud to acrowd of friends, community, and strangers.This thesis investigates public neighborhood libraries as anopportunity for the democratic engagement of individuals at a timewhen we hardly look a stranger in the eye. It observes the relationsbetween library patrons in order to question the current limits ofour civil interactions. New design possibilities are then explored inan attempt to find a building form to better reflect public life withinParkdale Public Library.The research culminates in a design proposal for a re-imaginedneighbourhood library in Parkdale, Toronto and takes a stand for librariesas vital interior public spaces that are currently going unnoticed. A criticalanalysis of Toronto Public Libraries, successful library precedents, andthe site context of Parkdale help to inform the design. Derived fromthese analyses is a proposal of a new library that would signal a world ofhumanity inside- one which is free, expressive and empathetic. The newproposal makes known the vitality of library spaces relative to everyone’slives.The central design method draws on observations made at Parkdale PublicLibrary as a means for creating an environment that better encouragesself-expression and engagement with others. The design will fulfill thefunctional requirements of the library with crucial design elements thatrespond to the particular characteristics of Parkdale and its people. Itproposes the utilization of additional programming, spatial framing andspatial anchors to influence and highlight moments of connection betweenpeople of blatant or intimidating difference. Ultimately, the architecture ispositing that a new material aesthetic reality is needed to invite the publicin, so that they may come to know the important reality of tolerance,solidarity and genuine self-expression happening inside our libraries.