The
Dewey Decimal System has Decimated Tangential Knowledge.
A
rethink of library typology, this library fixes that. Stacks spiral vertically,
their adjacencies evershifting. Bridges index tangential fields of knowledge on
adjacent spirals, firing up brain synapses and imagination.
Flux-Stacks
and Hyperlinks.
Hyperlinks
(bridges) between departments occur throughout the 3D Data Field at every
quadrant up the spiral ramps, encouraging interaction. Intermingling occurs
when a certain book cover (or patron) catches one's fancy and crossing the bridge
opens up a new world: the geek meets the athlete, the philosopher the acrobat.
As
the collections change, more volumes/ articles/ data units data acquired/
revised/ deleted, so too does the lateral relationship between departments.
Their adjacencies shift, ever in flux, dynamic. New opportunities of entertainment,
erudition, and chance encounter open up.8
Cylinders of Erudition in a Taut Translucent Shell.The
“wrap” is a powerful concept inherent to Mexican culture. The burrito, the
piñata, the skirt: all coy with their contents and tantalizing in their
mystique. Just as these hide their secrets within their amorphous forms, so too
would this library veil its magic. All its elements are wrapped in a sensuous
skin, folds and billows signifying passageways.
Heightened
Experience.
Learning
is enhanced in an environment of heightened experience: a gestalt on the
21st century shortened attention span. Interest is piqued in the
glass box of vertical stacks- a three dimensional data field. Connections are
made visually, intuitively, intellectually. The body “brainstorms” through the
bridges, ramps and stairs hyperlinking the data-field.
Climate
Control.
People
can handle fluctuations in temperature, humidity, sun and night. Books can't.
The enclosure containing the 8 stacks is the only volume with conditioned air.
The rest is naturally cross-ventilated via the natural stack effect. Operable
windows at the end-walls take advantage of breezes while the reading areas on
the upper floors have roll-up tambour doors.Illumination.
Skylights
above each vertical stack are oriented to take in even, non-glaring northern
light. These beams filter through the 70% opaque solar collectors and what is
not converted into power cascades down as filtered light. Mullions give way to
solar shades on the south side, taking advantage of the sun's rays in the
winter when it’s lower. Floor plates act as light shelves, bouncing this light
energy throughout the interior.
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