From civic place to digital space: The design of public libraries in Britain from past to present

Inaugurated as, at once, an antidote to the social problems of industrialization and a cultural and “scientific” helpmate to progress in an industrial society, public libraries in Britain first appeared in 1850 and soon became a familiar feature, not only on the sociocultural, but also the urban-architectural, landscape. Over the past century and a half, changes in the public library built form have reflected changes in the aims of the public library movement, in architectural style and planning and in wider society. The development and symbolism of the public library built form is analyzed in five periods, stretching from the pre–First World War phases of civic architecture and large-scale philanthropic eclecticism, through the interwar period of embryonic modernism, to the post–Second World War era of full-blown modernism and the subsequent postmodernism of the digital age. In each of these periods, the public library building can be “read” as readily as the books they contained.published or submitted for publicationOpe

Reka bentuk mukaan bangunan awam ke arah pembentukan seni bina bercirikan identiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

National identity in architecture is vital for a developing country as it indirectly symbolises national unity, inculcating love and pride towards the nation. However, the implementation of national identity in the Malaysian built environment has been neglected by most parties involved. This has become a focal issue which has led to most public buildings not having a ‘sense of belonging and ‘sense of place’. This problem is apparent in many typologies of public and government buildings, especially in academic buildings namely at higher educational institutions. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify and analyse the relationship between national identity and the architecture of higher education. The typology of educational architecture is chosen because higher educational institutions produce intellectuals who are able to transform the pattern of life and influence the development of a nation. Hence, this study utilizes a qualitative research approach using a narrative method through interpretivism paradigm to understand and analyse the façade design of three public university administrative buildings in Malaysia; Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). The analysis on the façade design of these three case studies is based on two key indicators which consist of fixed regional factor and dynamic regional factor. The finding shows that USIM and UIA façade designs have more national identity characteristics compared to UKM as the appearance of UIA and USIM administrative buildings fulfilled the criteria of the two key indicators. The main characteristics that are apparent to both appearances are due to the local culture approaches, design considerations in Islamic architecture, continuity in the architecture of regional heritage and local building materials that are mainly used on building façade designs to adapt climate and topography. Based on this finding, a higher education façade design is recommended for local designers and authorities as future reference for an extensive and effective implementation of architectural national identity in order to create a more unified architectural development in Malaysia

A grounded theory of the architectonics of library spaces

Research problem: The library, as an architectural typology, is reportedly under threat. There is no question the library space needs to evolve to remain relevant in the twenty-first century. This project seeks to reveal patterns of library design and architectonic principles that will shape future spaces. In an age of distraction and rapid change it may not be enough to assume the traditional role of the library, as a ‘temple of knowledge’ built for books, to guarantee the future of libraries. This project proposes a philosophical examination of the relevance of library buildings in the twenty-first century. Methodology: The grounded theory methodology employed enables a close reading of the determinants behind library design: how libraries influence architectonics and vice-versa. The term architectonics speaks to both architectural design and the importance of buildings as metaphorical representations of humanist principles. The project applies Emmanuel Kant’s philosophical interpretation of architectonics as a ‘system of knowledge’. The steps to generating grounded theory involves the categorisation of data, writing self-reflective memos, theoretical sampling, comparative analysis and theoretical sensitivity. The project also utilises naturalistic observations of three Auckland Public Libraries: Devonport, Rānui and Waiheke. Findings: Each building typology is important and instructive by mapping and reflecting humanist behaviours and endeavours. As things change over time, small details add up to affect the overarching philosophical understanding of architectonics, in this case ‘the library’. Fortunately, libraries do not have to confront the politicisation of technology directly but can maintain an evolutionary path, as a civic space, by using a new architectonic ‘morality’ that is universally inclusive: sustainability through intelligent design. Implications: Library buildings can reach into the humanist needs of design – the moral, ethical, harmonious, sustainable, communal elements. Becoming a sustainable beacon for communities may be constrained by material resources and budgets and not every library will be able to engage with eco-friendly designs in their entirety. Future studies will need to engage with communities, stakeholders and library users to explore whether a sustainable typology for library buildings is a worthy and achievable objective

"New Beauties": The Design of British Public Library Buildings in the 1960s

In 1960 the architectural correspondent of London’s Times newspaper praised contemporary architects for having evolved what he called “new beauties”: attractive, modernist buildings created out of new techniques and approaches to style and structure. This study features a particular set of these “new beauties”: public library buildings of the 1960s, both large and small. In the 1960s, public library design finally broke free from its Victorian heritage. The new library buildings that appeared in this decade, clothed as they were in the architectural modernism of the time, reflected an age of optimism and intended modernization, when faith in the postwar welfare state was at its height, when hopes for technological and economic renewal were running high, and when the outlook of professional librarians was becoming increasingly progressive.published or submitted for publicatio