Lighting Fixtures and Ceiling Elements

RCP

First Floor Second Floor Third Floor

Code Compliance Plans

First Floor Second Floor Third Floor

Defining the Concept

First Floor DestinationsSecond Floor Destinations

Inside the library there will be destination spots to stop at as children move through the space. In better defining my concept for the library I have further developed these destinations. The giant elevator tree in the center of the space will begin to govern over the concept for the space. Everything on the first level will be related to the backyard, ground level, etc. The second level will be called the "Learning Loft" as it is the mezzanine and rest at the middle of the tree. On the third floor each area will relate to all things up in the clouds, in the sky, in tree limbs, etc.

Revised Floor Plans

These plans have been updated after a mid-term review. The section cut lines correspond to the sections from the blog post before this one. The plan of the tree has been altered to show actual sizing of the tree. The circulation desk has also been changed slightly and the third floor stacks increased.

Section Cuts and Tree Detail

Section cut through the short axis of the building. The elevator tree reaches up through the atrium into the clear story roof level windows. The branches start to trail off from the trunk of the tree on the third level and even reach into the story time room "The Tree House" and over some of the stacks and reading areas.

Section cut through the long axis of the building. This cut helps to better explain the levels of the building and how the mezzanine sits between he first and third floors. There is a third clear story window at the rear of the building that is visible in this section. This window does not sit above an atrium like the other two do. This section also shows the circulation desk on the first floor in elevation.

Long axis Section Cut - this is the same section cut as the one above. I just did a quick hand rendering over the section to get an idea about materials and to better see the space.

Circulation Plans

Orange = Employee Circulation
Green = Patron Circulation

Components - Overhead Entryway

When patrons first enter the library they will walk beneath a large scale overhead entryway. These are some process sketches for what that entry way may look like. I have incorporated my logo design into this component. There would be tree form cutouts wrapping an archway with shelving cut into it. Signage for the library would be featured above and lighting would hang from beneath the archway. I want children to feel as if they are stepping into some sort of magical forest and for them to be excited about what awaits them inside.

Components - Circulation Desk

Initial drawings and ideas for the main circulation desk
on the first floor.

Components - Reading Loft Process

Quick Sketch-Up Model


Plan and Elevations


Idea sketch - ceiling clouds above

Working Floor Plans

First Floor

Second Floor

Third Floor

Component Design Sketches

Circulation Desk Ideas: This work space will take up a large area on the library's first floor. In working on the design of this desk I have considered all of the functions it will be required for. This is a multi-use component in the library.


Reading Perch / Loft Ideas: I want to create a spot in the library that children will love to come to. This spot will be a reading perch or loft and have places for children to climb up or crawl under. There must be a balance with this loft between play and reading.


Book Shelf Ideas: There will be various shapes and sizes of shelving in this library, some higher pieces and some very low to the ground. Each shelf may have and end panel design that correlates to signage and way finding. There may also be shelving with seating space built right in.

Research of Exisiting Book Shelf Designs

For the different shelving units I will be designing, as part of my projects focus, component design, I have been researching all type of existing book display shelves. The triangle or bell shaped pieces seem to be the most effective for my library design. These types of shelving units provide clear visibility to material on the bottom shelves and easy access for children.

Component Design Ideas

Circulation Desk -
The first floor of the library will have a centrally located circulation desk. This desk will be designed for checking out and receiving books, giving library cards, and information services.
Reading Bridge -
Between the floor openings on the third floor there is a 12 foot wide space that will be an area for reading. This space may have some type of canopy or bridge cover over it and be called the 'reading bridge'.
Reading Perch -
Also located on the third floor, there will be another reading area set back with in the stacks. This place will be designed to resemble a look out tower and will allow children to climb up and provide a fun space to read library materials.
Custom Bookshelves -
The main shelving in the library will be custom designed. This design will take into account shape, size, function, and accessibility for children. These shelves may include detailed end pieces and incorporate computer stations for quick catalog referencing.
Reference Desks -
On the third floor of the library there will be smaller reference desks acting as librarian stations for help and information. These desks will be designed to coordinate with the main circulation desk located on the first floor.
Elevator Tree -
Throughout the entire vertical length of the space there will be a giant faux tree encasing an elevator. This tree will be a focal point in the library and add excitement and interest for the children's space. On the third floor the limbs of the tree will stretch up an appear to go into the ceiling. The third floor's, story time room, will have the facade of a tree house and work well with the tree design. As this building has an open atrium at its center, the tree will be in this space and be able to be seen on each level.

*While doing research for this tree design I discovered a great company online called Nature Maker. This design company designs and installs custom, artificial steel art trees for many different of spaces.

Initial Space Planning and Circulation

First Level
Mezzanine Level
Third Level

Capstone Book - Page Layouts

Main Title Page

Section Title Page

Typical Page Layout

This semester each student must put together a final book encapsulating all of the work that goes into this project. These are some page layout ideas for my book design. I incorporated one of the logo options into the main title page and used my final logo for the section title pages. Each section title page will be in a different color and the pages in that section will have a corresponding strip at the top of the page. The typical page layout simply has the name, "Baton Rouge Children's Library" on it and the silhouette of the boy reading from the final log.

Daylighting Study

March 21 (8:00 am)

March 21 (12:00 pm)

March 21 (4:00 pm)

Logo Design Development

Through the development of the logo for the Baton Rouge Children's Library I went through several variations of shapes, forms, and colors. I wanted to incorporate the tree icon into the logo in some way because I knew I would be using this imagery throughout the interior of the library. I drew these graphics by hand and then added text and color on the computer. The final logo design uses a simple line with positive and negative space. This graphic will be used through out my book design as well as the interior of the library. Final Logo Design

Blocking Plans

First Floor












Mezzanine Level












Third Floor

Bubble Diagram

Zoning

Lobby & Concierge:
Welcom and Directory Desk / Children's Artwork Gallery
Circulation & Sorting:
Check out & in / Auto Check-out / Sorting Room / Reserve Materials
Staff Support:
Work Room / Storage / Staff Lockers / Lounge and Break Room
Offices & Meetings:
Library Director Office / IT Office / Academic Center Office /
Conference and Planning Room
Children's Floor (Sm. Collections):
Collections / Computer Stations / Babies & Toddlers / Digital Media Viewing
Children's Main Floor:
Reference Desk / Collections / Reading Areas
Activites & Events:
Story Time Room / Crafts and Events Room
Academic Center:
Group Study Reserve Rooms / Class Room / Tutoring Rooms
Restrooms:
Family / General
Building Support:
Janitor's Closet / Mechanical Room / Electrical Room
Vertical Circulation:
Fire Stairs / Elevator

Existing Floor Plans & Section Cut

The first floor of the existing building is divided in half by separate tenet spaces. There are three fire exits; two with fire corridors and one in the back that leads directly outside. Planter boxes, at the bottom of the open atriums, create a hallway effect down the center of the building.

The second floor does not cover the entire foot print of the building. It is a mezzanine level that goes from the fire stair on the east side of the building to the middle atrium and then over to the west wall. The space is divided up into hard wall offices. This level is accessible by only one set of fire stairs and an elevator.

On the third floor of the building there are three floor cutouts open to the atrium. Around these central openings are walled off offices and meeting rooms. This floor has three fire stair exists and an elevator.

Longitudinal Section Cut

North face of the building is to the left and the south face is to the right.

The Site

618 Main Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

The Library will be located in down town Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Main Street between North River Road and Interstate 10. This location on Main Street is near the corner of Main and 6th Street.

Abstract

My capstone project proposal is to develop a children’s library and academic center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This facility will be located in downtown Baton Rouge in an 18,000 square foot building on Main Street. Inside these walls will be an environment focused completely on children’s learning and development. I want to create an exciting, innovative space that encourages creativity and imagination. The hypothetical client for this project will be the Library Board of Controls for the East Baton Rouge Parish Public Library System.