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Paul visits ALA (American Library Association) Conference in San Francisco

March 11, 2016Blog

A highlight of this year’s ALA Conference in San Francisco (July 2015) was a day long tour of five of the city’s branch libraries.

San Francisco City is reaching the end of a one hundred million dollar upgrade programme of its libraries. The refurbished and new buildings, from an architectual perspective, are rich and well considered solutions but the most impressive ingredient was the absolute commitment the City made to engage with the neighbourhoods these libraries service.

There was never less than four public meetings and in one case twenty five public meetings to invite local people to share what they wanted in their library and to input and critique the design as it progressed.

One new library build went a step further insisting on using local contractors achieving over 60% of workers from the immediate neighbourhood. Wouldn’t you like to visit your local library with your kids and tell them ‘Grandad helped build this.”
Now that’s community glue!

Paul White, Director of Design, Instinct Furniture.

Bayview Linda Brooks-Burton Branch. An atrium brings light into the library and provides a welcome, secluded outdoor area.Bayview Linda Brooks-Burton Branch. Photography is used to bring richness to the interior.Bayview Linda Brooks-Burton Branch. The atrium features a poets' walk using African textile symbols with poetry.Bayview Linda Brooks-Burton Branch.The building cladding is inspired by African textile designs.Golden Gate Bridge. In all its windswept, fog bound glory.Golden Gate Valley Branch. A lovely Carnegie library featuring a terracotta facade.Golden Gate Valley Branch. The recent careful restoration revives the original charm.North Beach Branch. The corner window in the children's area affords a view of cable cars passing.North Beach Branch. The striking mural is comprised of portraits by local children.Ortega Branch. Curved shelving captures the library's seaside location.Ortega Branch. The teen area windows provide a strong connection to the neighbourhood.Ortega-Branch.-Sited-to-exploit-views-to-the-Pacific-Ocean.Potrero Branch. Sited atop a hill the library is a window to the city.Potrero Branch. The interior is clean and urban.Potrero Branch. The view is to die for.

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