On the exterior of the building, a glass curtain wall encloses the atrium spaces while calling out the two new entrance locations. The glass wall also serves as a solar chimney to help passively preheat air for the mechanical systems in the winter, while helping to evacuate hot air in the summer, thus reducing the need for excessive mechanical heating and cooling. A large LED screen is located within the glass wall, displaying ever-changing cultural content, piquing people’s interest in discovering other information the library contains and invigorating the urban activities of Monument Square.
Construction is nearly complete, with the Library’s reopening scheduled for April 2010.
Portland Public Library
Scott Simons Architects has been hired to design Phase One renovations of the Portland Public Library. We developed a renovation plan that improves the efficiency of flow of materials, establishes public and private layers within the library from the entrance to the back of the building, creates more defined entrances and emphasizes the library’s role as a “resource rich community center”.
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Photo Credit: Michael Lewis