Re: [Mpls] Glass, heating, and new library
In a message dated 10/3/02 9:21:36 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Traditionally libraries and museums were meant for the privileged class. We want the library to be for everyone. The new library should invite people in--we want to invite people to use the books, use the resources, use the Internet connections. Things in a library are meant to be used, not locked away (except for a good historic collection that is a very small percentage of the library). There are research libraries and museums that are there to protect historically significant resources. Sheldon and others - I'm a huge supporter of communication and access to information of all kinds, for all people! And of course we all want the Central Library to be inviting and useful to everybody. The Central Library is being promoted as housing one of the largest book and media collections in the Midwest, as well as being a center of activities and resources for the metro area. That makes it a little grander than your average neighborhood library. Architecture 101 says a building's design should reflect, in some way, its purpose. Dignity and security don't have to be uninviting. Accessible doesn't have to mean McArchitecture. Appreciation of aesthetics and respect for knowledge should not be assumed to be restricted to the privileged class. And, psychologically, the fortress look can be reassuring when a nation's political climate lacks confidence. That said, I think my first impressions of the rendering may have been inaccurate - it looks light and airy in the drawing, but according to accounts, there is more stone on the building face than is represented there (and I like the native stone a lot, too - the WCCO building is one of my favorites). And let it not be said that I am opposed to windows, or light - the fall days are getting short enough, as it is. -- Holle Brian Bancroft ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Glass, heating, and new library
With all due regard Sheldon, whom I like and respect, IMHO the proposed new lib has all the warmth and coziness of a large ice cube. Sorry. Also, the timing of the announcement of major proposed service reductions for 2003 does not bode well for the notion of bustling public space. Big, chilly and CLOSED? By the way, does The Ice Cube have any fireplaces in the public space? Now there's a warm and cozy notion. Think I'll put another log on the fire and settle into my favorite wingback chair with a good book. (Just a note in passing: Salman Rushdie was great at The Fitzgerald last night. ) Ann Berget Feeling bookish in Kingfield
RE: [Mpls] Glass, heating, and new library
Ann Berget notes, in part, ...Also, the timing of the announcement of major proposed service reductions for 2003 does not bode well for the notion of bustling public space. Big, chilly and CLOSED? [MH] Well, the operational cutbacks should not come as a surprise to anyone... they were forecast over a year ago, prior to the election, and before the Mayor/City Council's recent attempt to keep all city budgets within a max. 8 percent overall increase. I suggest reviewing the archives as to CLIC budget reviews for Library capital (and operating) costs and comparisons of various operating efficiency ratios relative to other similar-sized libraries across the country... posted by Bob Gustafson (CLIC member) and myself during summer/fall last year. The relative operating efficiency measurement data might provide insight on potential targets for current operating reductions. Michael Hohmann Linden Hills ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Glass, heating, and new library
Think I'll put another log on the fire and settle into my favorite wingback chair with a good book. Dear 'Feeling bookish in Kingfield' Sounds good... coffee with a little cognac would be the topper for me, although it's a bit early in the day yet! Are you going to the list get-together tonight? I had planned on being out of town, but rescheduled that to next week (not because of this get-together). Now I'm planning to stop in for an hour or two. There are a few friends I'd like to see and a few new ones I'd like to meet. Interested? Mike ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Glass, heating, and new library
My two cents -- Glass may raise possibilities for solar heating. But when I look at the proposed glass faced Library, all I can think of is the bombing of Dresden. There is a reason why libraries and museums traditionally look like fortresses. They house irreplaceable cultural relics. Their design says there is something of value here within, not come on in and use our free internet connection. -- Holle Brian Bancroft ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Glass, heating, and new library
I am sorry that people have had the impression that the current design of the exterior of the new library building is all glass. The pictures are actually a bit vague about the exact look of the exterior as the exact materials have not yet been selected. In fact, the exterior in the current plan is partially glass and partially Minnesota stone. There are bands of stone at each level, with glass windows. This does two things - it lets a large amount of light into the building while still having a tie to the materials and colors already in the downtown. The windows themselves are partially clear glass and partially opaque, giving the impression of books on a shelf. The opaque windows are more prevalent on the south side, cutting down the direct light on that side, with more clear windows on the other sides of the building to let in indirect light. The building is also not a box. Two street grid systems come together on this block and the block itself is not square but instead sort of trapazoidal. The design is, in fact, two boxes, one aligned with the Hennepin grid and one with Nicollet grid. In the V between these two boxes is an atrium that provides traffic flow through the building and allows an orientation point throughout the building. It will also let in a lot of light and be a pleasant space in the winter. There is also a space on the second floor, Teen Central which juts out slightly from the building so kids can hang out and see and be seen from Hennepin Avenue. The exact materials have not yet been selected so it is not yet possible to know things such as exact R values or such. In fact, the proportions of stone to glass on the exterior is not yet set, and is, in part, dependent on how the budget shakes out. Regarding the energy environmental aspects, we are having the architects looking at alternatives but the budget will determine how aggressive we can be. The budget is very tight and we would have to look at the cost-benefits of these systems. Carol Becker Longfellow ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Glass, heating, and new library
Traditionally libraries and museums were meant for the privileged class. We want the library to be for everyone. The new library should invite people in--we want to invite people to use the books, use the resources, use the Internet connections. Things in a library are meant to be used, not locked away (except for a good historic collection that is a very small percentage of the library). There are research libraries and museums that are there to protect historically significant resources. . sheldon mains, seward neighborhood, minneapolis [EMAIL PROTECTED] the shameless agitator in the electronic town square Holle Brain wrote: Glass may raise possibilities for solar heating. But when I look at the proposed glass faced Library, all I can think of is the bombing of Dresden. There is a reason why libraries and museums traditionally look like fortresses. They house irreplaceable cultural relics. Their design says there is something of value here within, not come on in and use our free internet connection. -- Holle Brian Bancroft ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Glass, heating, and new library
Got this from Colin Hamilton re: general energy info on library. -- Forwarded Message From: Hamilton, Colin J [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 16:38:31 -0500 To: Betty Tisel Sarah Farley [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: Web Comment on New Central Library from Betty Tisel Despite the glass, the building is meant to be highly energy efficient. The glass will be insulated. In addition, the heating/cooling systems are built into the floors (rather than blown down from the ceilings), so we will only need to heat/cool the bottom seven feet (roughly) of any given floor. The architects are putting together a fact sheet on the green qualities of the building. As soon as I get a copy of it, I will forward it to you. Colin Colin Hamilton is exec. Dir. Of the Friends of the Mpls. Public Library. When he forwards the fact sheet to me I'll forward it to the list. Betty Tisel Kingfield [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Glass, heating, and new library
When we were first discussing glass and solar energy during the Design process of The Green Institute I attended a seminar at the Science Museum that showed slides and presented Solar Glass Walls as used in Germany, Sweden and other places in Europe. I was very intrigued but, of course, it cost a fortune. That was almost ten (10) years ago so I am sure more research and uses have been determined and developed. I am sure Patrick Hamilton or staff at ME3 could help research about all this glass at the new Library can be put to good use for energy. I join Lisa Goodman, Dean Zimmermann, Rod Krueger, George Garnett, Michael Krause and I am sure others that will embrace and use the line, it is our biggest public amenity to be built in the next few years - let's do it right and let's do it green. There's plenty of research and possible products and technologies that this could be quite spectacular new building in downtown Minneapolis. It doesn't quite fit in with the old architecture which went out long ago and it, yes, it is lots of glass - bring on the glass - and let's do it right. Too bad the city is built the wrong direction and we find it hard to find lots of pure south facing opportunities in the entire city - but let's try to do the best we can, including a couple of wind turbines on the top of the building. Imagine, Geo exchange underground, an impervious parking lot, a solar glass wall on the building and wind machines on top - Now that would be green and internationally acclaimed. Annie Young East Phillips At 09:11 PM 10/2/02 -0500, Sarah Farley Betty Tisel wrote: Got this from Colin Hamilton re: general energy info on library. -- Forwarded Message From: Hamilton, Colin J [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 16:38:31 -0500 To: Betty Tisel Sarah Farley [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: Web Comment on New Central Library from Betty Tisel Despite the glass, the building is meant to be highly energy efficient. The glass will be insulated. In addition, the heating/cooling systems are built into the floors (rather than blown down from the ceilings), so we will only need to heat/cool the bottom seven feet (roughly) of any given floor. The architects are putting together a fact sheet on the green qualities of the building. As soon as I get a copy of it, I will forward it to you. Colin Colin Hamilton is exec. Dir. Of the Friends of the Mpls. Public Library. When he forwards the fact sheet to me I'll forward it to the list. Betty Tisel Kingfield [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
