I think gwharton's "criticism" - while somewhat crass - is actually pretty revealing- homeless people will tend to stay out of the middle of public spaces because they at least feel a little uncomfortable about their situation - if they're sitting out on the lounge chairs right in the middle of the fucking space it means they have no place else to go - which actually has the effect of making everyone else much less sympathetic toward them and makes the homeless individual feel even more invisible because everyone is now ignoring them - even the people who would normally interact with them on the edge condition. all the canted edges in this building basically say "keep off." it forces you to be constantly participating collectively (under the watchful eye of everyone else) rather than temporarily inhabiting the periphery where one can take some respite and allow for more intimate social interaction. The most important public "space" is the edge condition, not just the space itself. Just curious, has anyone been to libraries they feel function better, as far as finding books is concerned? I'm not talking about the Bellevue intimacy the SPL may do offensively to the street it more than makes for with the abundance of dymanic and engaging public space inside You don't really need to consult a plan to find out where a certain stack is in SPL, just follow the path. once books are divided between floors, staircases, and elevators, the act of finding books becomes much more challenging than having them all on one continuous plain. As I said before, I've been to countless libraries that are far more difficult to use. The author also must have a bias against reading in public parks/areas in general though, such as on a bench in broad day light, on the train, etc., all of which I don't mind and often seek out, rather than a hidden corner in a public space.Īs far as the spiral stacks, I acknowledge it takes time to find books just like any other library, but my point was it is much easier to understand, intuitively. I've never been one to 'curl up' in a library, so I don't really empathize with that argument, but I can understand where the author is coming from. The SPL doesn't mesh being a landmark with a respect for the values and vibes sought in the region's architecture. However, that the author says they prefer the suburban Bellevue Library speaks volumes. The previous central library looked like a converted low-rise bank building and did not beckon anyone to come in. But, SEA is still a second-tier metro area, and the library is a bit much. In Porto PT's Casa de Musica by Rem, the appearance of an asymmetrically cut gem, as seen when approaching it from the Metro a block away works, because it is a performance hall and grandeur is implicit. However, it's just the crazy proportions, for the most part. (Well, coffee is a no go at any library). The library certainly doesn't allow for that. Then, there is a missed understanding that Seattle has more library usage than any American city per capita, with its prevailing "read a book in niche like privacy on an overcast day with a cup of coffee" culture. There are some scaleless spaces, like the first photo shown, and it feels too techy in places. There are a lot of programmatic and "cultural" misses with the SPL.
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