a new library for river grove, illinois

OBJECTIVE: Design a building for use as a new public library for River Grove.

BASIC CRITERIA: The Village of River Grove has decided to build a new library building to house its expanding collection of books and periodicals. The site has been selected by the building committee, and is shown on the attached sketch.

OWNER GOALS: Following considerable discussion, the River Grove Public Library building committee has instructed you, their architect, to incorporate the following goals and parameters into the design of the new library building:

1. The librarian must have visual control over all library functions and spaces.
2. The reading room should relate visually to appropriate outdoor spaces.
3. Child care areas should be located so that children do not disturb readers.
4. The Public Meeting Room (see "Program Requirements") will be used for both daytime and nighttime public meetings and events. This room must be independent of library functions and the library operation, yet must share certain common facilities without loss of library security when the library is not open.
5. The building appearance should be appropriate to the nature of its use and should be distinctive, but it should also be visually compatible with the neighborhood and the village as a whole.
6. The natural features of the site should be preserved and enhanced by the building.
7. Energy conservation is a high priority.
8. The entire building should be accessible to persons with disabilities.
9. One main entrance (and minimum of two exits, including main entrance) –
Note: If you design a multi-story building, you must have two stairs that exit directly to outside, and you must also have an elevator.
10. Toilet rooms must be available to nighttime users without going into the locked-off library.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

1. Entrance Vestibule

2. Public Meeting Room: 1130 sf

a. 100 stacked chairs
b. Storage space (or room) for stacking chairs
c. 100 coat hooks

3. Public Meeting Room Kitchen: 100 sf
a. Refrigerator
b. Double bowl sink
c. 4-burner range with oven
d. Microwave
e. Dishwasher
f. counter space 144 x 24
g. storage cabinets

4. Circulation Area: 675 sf

a. Circulation desk – min 23 linear feet of counter space in U-shaped or circular plan

1) Three checkout computer stations at desk
2) Shelving behind desk

b. Electronic security system at door
c. Coin-operated copy machine (public use)
d. Bulletin board
e. Display area
f. Map of library

5. Staff Workroom Area: 845 sf

a. Locate in a closed area near circulation lobby
b. Storage for loaned electronic equipment (audio-cassette players, etc.)
c. Seven desks with computer returns
d. Five 4-drawer legal sized file cabinets
e. 78 linear ft of shelving (7 shelves high)
f. Staff mailboxes
g. Storage space for deliveries
h. Bulletin board
i. Six book trucks
j. Staff lounge – seating at one table for 6 persons

1) Small undercounter refrigerator
2) Single bowl sink
3) Coffee pot
4) Microwave
5) Five linear feet of counter space with base and wall cabinets

k. Coat closet for 12 staff coats
l. Nine purse-sized lockers
m. Men’s staff toilet room – 1 WC and 1 Lav
n. Women’s staff toilet - 1 WC and 1 Lav
o. Copy machine and sorting table

6. Adult Services Area: 1515 sf

a. Three Public Access Catalog (PAC) computer stations on 30” x 60” tables
b. New book area - 96 lin ft shelving
c. Current Periodicals - 150 lin ft shelving
d. 12 lounge chairs
e. 6 small tables
f. 12 coat hooks
g. Back periodicals – 612 lin ft shelving
h. Two tables 36 x 60 w/4 chairs each
i. Two double carrels w/chairs
j. Large print books – 240 lin ft shelves
k. Reference desk – 30 x 144 storage under w/4 chairs
l. Reference collection – 360 lin ft shelves
m. Four tables 36 x 60 w/4 chairs each
n. Microform reader
o. Cabinets for microforms
p. One 48 x 108 table w/ 6 chairs
q. Four computer stations
r. One Public Access Catalog (PAC) computer station on 30” x 60” table
s. Coin-operated copy machine (public use)

7. Adult collection: 2,215 sf

a. 3,168 lin ft shelves

8. Young Adult collection: 230 sf

a. 60 lin ft shelves

9. Audio-Visual collection: 400 sf

a. 696 lin ft shelves

10. Computer room: 320 sf

a. Eight computers w/printers

11. Two Study Rooms: 250 sf total

a. 36” diameter table w/4 chairs each room

12. Children’s Library: 2,535 sf

a. Glass wall around space
b. One desk with computer return
c. Counter 36 x 144 x 36 high w/sink
d. Two Public Access Catalog (PAC) computer stations on 30” x 60” tables
e. 1,563 lin ft shelves
f. One 72” diameter round table w/6 chairs
g. Two 46” diameter round table w/4 chairs
h. Four 30 x 60 table w/4 chairs
i. Four computers and 30 x 60 tables w/2 chairs each
j. Family toilet room: 60 sf

13. Children’s Storytelling Room: 500 sf

a. Counter 30 x 108 x 36 high w/sink
b. 30 stacked chairs
c. coat hooks
d. storage cabinets 144 x 24
e. Four folding tables 30 x 72

14. Director’s office: 200 sf

15. Administrative Assistant’s Office: 150 sf

16. Board Room: 430 sf

a. Four tables 30 x 72
b. 20 chairs
c. counter with single bowl sink

17. Telecommunication Room: 325 sf

a. Desk w/computer return 30 x 60
b. 60 lin ft shelves

18. Men’s Toilet room – 1 WC, 1 Urinal and 2 Lavatories

19. Women’s toilet room – 3 WCs and 2 lavatories

20. Storage and janitor room

21. Mechanical room

SITE FACILITIES AND USES:

1. Outside children's play area
2. Outside reading area
3. Off-street Parking for 20 cars
4. Accessible parking space not more than 200 feet from the entrance
5. Parking location for one delivery van

PROJECT METHODOLOGY

Step 1: Analyze the site and do a site influence diagram to determine the best location and orientation for the building and outdoor areas.

Step 2: Bubble diagram of functional requirements

Step 3: From bubble diagram and site influence diagram, form a "concept" for the solution.

Step 4: Develop the plan of the building based on the bubble diagram and concept. Work out detailed plan for toilet rooms showing fixtures and meeting room showing seating.

Step 5: Provide required and desired fenestration, and develop section and elevations.

Step 6: Develop a form for the building based on the plan and section and elevations.

Step 7: Modify plans as necessary to fit the form. Make sure program is still met.

REQUIRED PRESENTATION

1. Site influence diagram, showing site impact on the solution, vehicular traffic flow, pedestrian traffic, natural elements, vistas, and solar orientation, 1" = 20'-0"
2. Functional bubble diagram, 1/16" = 1' 0"
3. Structural diagram, showing structural system and elements proposed to be used to support the building, small no scale
4. Site plan, scale 1" = 20'-0", showing all roads, parking, and landscape,
5. Plan(s), 1/8" = 1' 0"
6. Section(s), selected to best explain graphically the character of the solution,
1/8" = 1' 0"
7. Front elevation, 1/8" = 1' 0"
8. Model of entire site with building, roads, parking, trees, etc., 1/8" = 1' 0"

REQUIRED MEDIA

Drawings: vellum or yellow tracing paper, hand drawn or bond, plotted, wrap-mounted on 20" X 30" Foamcore

Model: buff pulp board or 4 ply white strathmore (kid finish), show roads, sidewalks, trees and people - mounted on 1” thick Foamcore base with title – see “Quality Assurance Guide” page on web site