3/25/2006

Buffalo's Newest Library

Craig at America's North Coast, beat me to the Buffalo News article about our City's newest library. First one in 20 years! Here's the article and check out Craig's post. He has a few choice words about the design. I agree. I know a number of City planners that share Craig's opinion. As soon as the fence comes down along Utica, I'll post my comments about the experience I have walking past the gentle windowless concrete wall curves of the village huts.
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click to enlarge

The new branch sits near the Apollo Theater and features an Afro-centric design reflective of an African village.

The design meshes six open, circular rooms on the perimeter - symbolicof village huts - nesting against a stunning central circle with atowering, light-filled sky dome. The central area, symbolic of the village center, houses the circulation desk.

If someone would pass along pictures of local architect Robert Trayham Coles other work in Buffalo or elsewhere, I'd appreciate it.

Still nothing about the library the City of Buffalo is abandoning on Jefferson Avenue. It's in great shape and never seemed to make John Hannon's list over in the City's Real Estate Division of city property that's for sale. Didn't see a 'for sale' sign today either.

btw...here's the first post I wrote about this library last February. Bad pics, I know.

Make sure to check out this post that links you to a recent conversation over at BRO.
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2 comments:

EAL said...

Hi David,

Looking at these more detailed images, I am finding this building more attractive than when I saw the smaller pic on BRO. I too like the pattens, and, to some extent, the shapes, and I'm intrigued enough to want to come check it out Saturday. It must be kind of fun to walk around inside, too.

fixBuffalo said...

eal...

I'm sure the place does have a coolness factor yet still from the street...rather bleak.

While you are in the neighborhood make sure to check out the Woodlawn Row Houses, too. They are wide open again...like an open house!

Best,

David