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Princeton University Julian Street Library by Joel Sanders
Posted in: Joel Sanders, Princeton University, slideshowsNew York architect Joel Sanders has overhauled a library at Princeton University by installing interactive technology and colour-coded study areas (+ slideshow).
The Julian Street Library is in a 1960′s building on the campus and was originally a reading room with study spaces for solitary readers.
The architects removed an existing brick wall and placed a ramp between the library and entrance area, creating a new space where students can relax and socialise.
Maple panelling clads the floor, walls and ceiling on one side of the library to create a quiet study area with upright seating and communal tables.
On the other side, the study lounge contains blue bookcases and banquettes for more relaxed working.
There’s also an interactive media table, displayed via a concealed projector, which allows students to exchange information and search the book collection.
The project recently won an IIDA Library Interior Design Award.
Photography is by Peter Aaron.
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Here’s some more information from Joel Sanders Architect:
The Julian Street Library, a newly renovated library in a 1960s modernist building at Princeton University, transforms a 3,100 sq ft reading room into a state-of-the-art multimedia learning environment. Situated between a residential college and the main campus centre, the library acts as a hub for undergraduate students on their way to the central campus. Recognising that, with the advent of digital technologies, libraries are multipurpose spaces that sponsor study and social interaction, our design reconceives the refurbished library as a wired environment where students can work, lounge, and socialise day and night.
Bringing library into vestibule
Our solution solves the dual challenge of improving circulation between the vestibule and campus, as well as between the vestibule and library, by allowing the vestibule and library to overlap. We removed an existing demising brick wall, and taking inspiration from the Laurentian Library in Florence, brought the library into the vestibule by way of a dynamic ramp that pours into this previously underutilized space. No longer simply a threshold, the vestibule is now a space where students study, relax, and socialize. A series of terraced benches activate the vestibule and provide access to a communal library table and computer terminals located at the summit. The ramp then ushers students into the main library which is divided into two activity zones differentiated by color and materials.
New media: 24/7 wired space to study and socialise
Traditionally conceived as single purpose spaces intended for studying only, libraries are now multi-purpose spaces that support studying and socialising. As a consequence, our project divides the library into two overlapping activity zones differentiated by color and materials. On the one hand, maple acoustical panelling clads the floor, walls and ceiling of the quiet study area where students work upright at communal tables and built-in computer stations. On the other hand, teal upholstered banquettes define the adjacent casual study lounge. Students can easily shift between both zones as their needs change throughout the day, allowing them to work either individually or collaboratively in a 24/7 wired environment.
As students transition from reading a book to working on their laptop, study postures change, requiring different levels of focus, lengths of time, and degrees of engagement with other students. Our design provides various options – banquettes, tables and work stations – allowing individuals to transition easily from relaxed, passive postures (while reading or watching material for the first time) to more alert postures (while actively processing material and producing original work).
Teal bookcases carved into the walls display the original Julian Street book collection donated to Princeton University in 1962. Built within these bookcases, birch-lined cabinets house computers and music recording equipment so that students have access to old and new media as they work.
An electronic communal media table provides an interactive forum where students of Wilson College can exchange information with other students working in the vestibule and library, as well as remote locations on campus. Concealed within the ceiling, a projector displays an interactive image on the table below where students may post events on a community billboard, search the original Julian Street book collection, and engage in social networking.
Mobile furniture and sliding panels allow the space to be easily reconfigured so that it may accommodate various events – from studying to dining and partying.
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Special feature: weather
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weather appeared first on Dezeen.
The Dark Tea Rises
Posted in: UncategorizedPing Pong Pang Chair by Paolo Rizzatto
Posted in: UncategorizedPaolo Rizzatto may be a self-described architect (scroll through his beautiful architectural drawings on his website), but it’s his colorful and playfully named Ping Pong Pang chair that’s been getting everyone’s attention lately. Designed for the Italian outdoor furniture company, Serralunga, the chair’s nimble design was apparently inspired by a paperclip.
After observing the classic design of paperclips on his office desk, he wondered if it was possible to create a metallic structure that, by exploiting the elasticity of the materials, allows the metal structure to snap into plastic cushions.
Rizzatto played with this idea until he had a stable but spare metal structure for indoor or outdoor use, though I strongly support the latter—just imagine how perfect these would look dotting a poolside patio. Plus, the seat is curved to help with drainage and the cushions are made from 100% recycled plastic coated with a UV-blocking resin to protect it from weathering and discoloration.
Available now from Serralunga for €215 a pop.
Daily Obsesh: Smoking Shoes
Posted in: UncategorizedIf sky high platform heels have dominated the fashion scene for the past few years, this time around is all about low key comfort chic. Enter the smoking shoe, which is one part edgy fashionista and one part style ease with a comfortable flat sole that hardly requires any effort. A cool, understated style and casual vibe this is one footwear option that can go where you go, and play where you play. Wear yours with dresses, jeans, tees, shorts, you name it. Dress it up, dress it down. It is the ultimate fashion basic. |
Dezeen Wire: Dezeen has been named Digital Business Publisher of the Year 2012 by the Association of Online Publishers.
Judges of the AOP 2012 Awards described Dezeen as “A smart entrepreneurial brand, with beautifully designed products – from websites to pop-up shops. Strong evidence of experimentation, fast growing revenue and audience”.
The awards were announced last night at a ceremony at the Roundhouse in London. See all the winners here.
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of the Year 2012 appeared first on Dezeen.
Fubiz TV 10 – JR
Posted in: fubiztv, inside out, new lands, xNous sommes fiers de vous présenter aujourd’hui l’Issue 10 du programme hebdomadaire de Fubiz TV avec Orange. Au sommaire cette semaine, nous avons sélectionné le meilleur de l’actualité créative et nous avons rencontrer l’artiste français JR pour une interview exclusive. A découvrir dans la suite.
Roger Sanchez names techno track after Zaha Hadid
Posted in: Dezeen Wire, Do not show on the Homepage
Dezeen Wire: house music DJ Roger Sanchez has named one of his latest tracks after architect Zaha Hadid.
Sanchez, who studied architecture before becoming a DJ, is releasing the techno track under the alias S-Man.
Fans can get hold of a copy by placing a vote for their favourite DJs in the DJ Mag Top 100.
See more stories about Zaha Hadid »
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