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INTRODUCTION
Fred Schlipf, the American academic and library building consultant who has (in his own words) been hanging about in libraries since the 1940s has as one of his 200 snappy rules for good and evil in library architecture, “A badly designed and constructed building is a pain forever. Or until it falls down, whichever comes first. Never cut planning time short.”1 It is wise advice and when setting out on the exciting odyssey that leads to a new, or renovated, library building it is important to try and envisage what future needs will be and plan accordingly. Andrew MacDonald, who has written extensively about the qualities of good library space, questions how far ahead one should plan and notes that, “pragmatists might suggest that we should look as far ahead as we can, or perhaps as far as we can afford.”2
At the start of the 21st century there was much talk of the demise of the physical library and the growth of the virtual library. Undoubtedly the design of library spaces is changing but it could be argued that the basic function remains the same – the pairing of user and information. The traditional approach was for imposing buildings designed primarily for the storage and display of collections with quiet places for solitary study; these libraries changed little over their lifetime. The 21st century model is for welcoming structures with a relaxed atmosphere conducive to interaction and innovation. The new building type is all about flexibility and choice with a wide variety of areas from busy social spaces to quiet areas for scholarly study and with a range of seating from the casual and comfy to group seating and individual spaces. And yet, as the team working on the new university library at the University of Utrecht pointed out, “the meeting function, the preserving function, the studying function and the collaboration function will always remain”.3 It could be argued, therefore, that the library as a building typology hasn't really changed although the emphasis has shifted from collections to connections.4
Two libraries that made the profession consider new approaches to library design are the Seattle Public Library, designed by Rem Koolhaas and OMA with local firm LMN Architects...