There have been a couple quick characterizations of the new library design as just
another glass boxThat's a pretty understandable impression based on the pictures
but there is actually much more to it than that.
First, the exterior as planned is a mix of glass and stone. One of the stones being
considered is the indigenous Mankato Kasota Stone, which you see on the WCCO building
and which is similar to the Italian stone on Norwest Center. I find this to be a very
warm stone that is especially welcome in winterAt one point someone said we would
not want it to be the same tone as Norwest Center...I disagree...It's great to have an
indigenous stone and I find it far warmer than other stones. (Contrast Gavidaae
Common 1 with Saks, which does have the warmer stone, with Gavidaae II which has a
nice but no where nearly as warm a stone.)
Second, this is much more than just simple glass. They are talking about a very rich
overlay of contrasting glass treatments, including a couple versions that would have a
light skin on them to create a shimmer effect.
I don't like bland glass boxeswhich is why I was so excited about Pelli's work
when I first saw it as a reporter writing about him when he was getting ready to do
Norwest Center. I was sent to Houston to see what he did with what would otherwise
have been bland suburban glass buildings. Using a series of glass treatments he made
the building shimmer and catch light in a way that made them just jump out of the
otherwise sterile surroundings. He did this in a very different way with the Pacific
Design Center in Los Angeles, and his office has gotten far better with this over the
years. I'm really confident this will be a very very rich exterior that's warm,
translucent and exciting.
This will also set up a very new look along Hennepin. Think about what the new Walker
will do a few blocks up Hennepin.Here another glass building will take one of our
busiest cornerswhere we now see blank wallsand open a window into the world of
art...Lots of people and activity inside will hopefully draw people out of their
cars.A few blocks down Hennepin, the library will be doing the same, and people
will approach it to see activity and people and lightAnd at night, from Hennepin
or coming across the river, it will add a real sparkle to a part of the city that is
now often too dark.If we can now just get the Planetarium added to it, this will
be even more exciting. Even better, the wing connecting the two sections of the
building will be visible for several blocks.
A final separate note, I want to reinforce what CM Goodman said yesterday---and what
CM Zimmerman has said in other meetings... about making this a green building. This
is going to be the most important building of our time, certainly from a civic point a
view, and it's our hope that it can be done in a way that inspires others to
incorporate rooftop gardens and sustainable designs.
R.T. Rybak
City Hall
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