Xing
24-09-2007, 06:43
Building:
Burton Barr Central Library
Architect:
Will Bruder
(born in 1946 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American architect most active in the American southwest. His ability to address the requirements of site, user experience, craftsmanship, and energy conservation, while still producing formally accomplished and beautiful buildings, is unusual in the profession.
Bruder studied art and engineering, but had no formal university training in architecture. After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1968, he worked and studied under Paolo Soleri, where he acquired field experience in woodwork, metal work, and masonry. Through apprenticeship, he obtained registration as an architect and opened his practice in 1974.
Bruder's largest structure and greatest achievement is the Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix, Arizona, a five-story, 280,000-square-foot (26,000 mē) civic landmark that houses an open, one-acre (4,000 mē) reading room and a five-floor, glass-and-steel elevator and stair well (the "Crystal Canyon"). The building incorporates a Buckminster Fuller tensegrity structure in its roof, and features motorized louvers on its south face for improved sun control. The library is physically oriented for a display of sunlight alignment on equinox days.
Concept:
The Burton Barr Central Library is the central library in Phoenix, Arizona. It is the flagship location and system headquarters of the Phoenix Public Library. It was designed by Will Bruder with Wendell Burnette. It is a large facility at about 280,000 square feet in five stories. The five floors accommodate a collection of over one million volumes. Several passive and mechanical schemes are utilized to allow daylight into the building. Mechanical rotating skylight drums, horizontal louvers, and fixed teflon-fabric sails deflect light in, but block direct sunlight from harming the collection. The facility opened on May 20, 1995, and is located on Central Avenue one block south of McDowell Road. It replaced a library facility from the 1950's (on McDowell) that is now part of the Phoenix Art Museum complex.
Part of the architectural design allows for a light show on the summer solstice. It creates a glow and light show in the library. A smaller version of the show plays out daily.
The library is often referred to as green, due to its environmental friendliness.
Access:
http://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/
Phone: (602) 262-4636
Mon 9:00AM - 9:00PM
Tue 9:00AM - 9:00PM
Wed 9:00AM - 9:00PM
Thu 9:00AM - 9:00PM
Fri 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Sat 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Sun Noon - 6:00PM
Location:
Phoenix,AZ,US
1221 N. Central Avenue
Getting there:
From Sky Harbor International Airport-East Ent, E Sky Harbor Blvd to Library.
by Drive and taxi.
See map.
Burton Barr Central Library
Architect:
Will Bruder
(born in 1946 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American architect most active in the American southwest. His ability to address the requirements of site, user experience, craftsmanship, and energy conservation, while still producing formally accomplished and beautiful buildings, is unusual in the profession.
Bruder studied art and engineering, but had no formal university training in architecture. After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1968, he worked and studied under Paolo Soleri, where he acquired field experience in woodwork, metal work, and masonry. Through apprenticeship, he obtained registration as an architect and opened his practice in 1974.
Bruder's largest structure and greatest achievement is the Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix, Arizona, a five-story, 280,000-square-foot (26,000 mē) civic landmark that houses an open, one-acre (4,000 mē) reading room and a five-floor, glass-and-steel elevator and stair well (the "Crystal Canyon"). The building incorporates a Buckminster Fuller tensegrity structure in its roof, and features motorized louvers on its south face for improved sun control. The library is physically oriented for a display of sunlight alignment on equinox days.
Concept:
The Burton Barr Central Library is the central library in Phoenix, Arizona. It is the flagship location and system headquarters of the Phoenix Public Library. It was designed by Will Bruder with Wendell Burnette. It is a large facility at about 280,000 square feet in five stories. The five floors accommodate a collection of over one million volumes. Several passive and mechanical schemes are utilized to allow daylight into the building. Mechanical rotating skylight drums, horizontal louvers, and fixed teflon-fabric sails deflect light in, but block direct sunlight from harming the collection. The facility opened on May 20, 1995, and is located on Central Avenue one block south of McDowell Road. It replaced a library facility from the 1950's (on McDowell) that is now part of the Phoenix Art Museum complex.
Part of the architectural design allows for a light show on the summer solstice. It creates a glow and light show in the library. A smaller version of the show plays out daily.
The library is often referred to as green, due to its environmental friendliness.
Access:
http://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/
Phone: (602) 262-4636
Mon 9:00AM - 9:00PM
Tue 9:00AM - 9:00PM
Wed 9:00AM - 9:00PM
Thu 9:00AM - 9:00PM
Fri 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Sat 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Sun Noon - 6:00PM
Location:
Phoenix,AZ,US
1221 N. Central Avenue
Getting there:
From Sky Harbor International Airport-East Ent, E Sky Harbor Blvd to Library.
by Drive and taxi.
See map.