{"id":57557,"date":"2020-01-29T08:45:11","date_gmt":"2020-01-29T13:45:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/architizer.com\/blog\/?p=57557"},"modified":"2022-04-13T15:58:51","modified_gmt":"2022-04-13T19:58:51","slug":"architectural-details-calgary-central-library","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.arc.ht\/blog\/practice\/details\/architectural-details-calgary-central-library\/","title":{"rendered":"Architectural Details: The Snowflake and Cedar Fa\u00e7ades of Calgary Central Library"},"content":{"rendered":"

Architects: Showcase your next project through <\/span><\/i>Architizer<\/span><\/i><\/a> and sign up for our <\/span><\/i>inspirational newsletter<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Libraries hold immense public value. As places of exchange that attract all ages, these buildings are where culture grows and thrives. Built as some of the last safe, free and truly public spaces, libraries bring people together. This is certainly the case with the new Calgary Central Library<\/a>, designed by Sn\u00f8hetta<\/a> and DIALOG;<\/a> the 240,000 SF project plays a vital role for the rapidly expanding city.<\/p>\n

\"CalgaryAs the region’s largest public investment since the 1988 Olympics, Calgary Central Library signals the beginning of a new chapter in the life of the city, one centered on the creation and innovation of knowledge and culture.<\/p>\n

The design team worked with a variety of consultants to create the library\u2019s iconic and dynamic triple-glazed fac\u0327ade and western red cedar entrance. Composed of a modular, hexagonal pattern, the fa\u00e7ade is made of aggregated variations on the hexagon form across the building\u2019s curved surface, featuring alternating panels of fritted glass and occasional iridescent aluminum.<\/p>\n

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Ground floor plan by Sn\u00f8hetta<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

\"Calgary

Section drawing by Sn\u00f8hetta<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

\"\" The team explained that from these shapes emerge familiar forms, including \u201cparts of the pattern might resemble an open book, snowflake-like linework, or interlocking houses, anchoring the ideas of the collective and community.\u201d<\/p>\n

The project\u2019s triple pane glazing was made using Vitro Starphire with Solarban Low-E coatings, while the composite metal components are Alpolic panels with Valfron coatings. The team worked with Reckli for the precast panel formliner.<\/p>\n