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ABSTRACT
One of the most disappointing aspects of library architecture is the endless repetition of the same two or three dozen dysfunctional design ideas. Bad design ideas come from many sources, not only architects and interior designers, but also librarians, library consultants, and various governmental bodies. This article describes some of the most commonly repeated design errors in library architecture and provides suggestions on how to prevent them in advance or deal with them after they are committed.
INTRODUCTION
This article summarizes some of the most common design errors in library architecture and provides a few suggestions on how to prevent them in advance or deal with them after they are committed. Although problems with library designs are noted throughout the library literature, this article is based directly on my personal experience as a library building consultant, on visits to hundreds of library buildings, and on conversations I have had with hundreds of frustrated librarians over the past forty years. One of the most disappointing aspects of library architecture is the endless repetition of the same two or three dozen dysfunctional design ideas. Librarians grind their teeth in frustration, but architects (and everyone else involved in the library building process) eternally repeat the same design errors.
Actually, the architectural design needs of libraries are fairly simple. Libraries need to be strong, well-lighted, comfortable, safe and secure, flexible in use, expandable, and have low occupancy costs. The problems lie in the details.
Bad design ideas come from many sources, including architects, designers, librarians, library consultants, and various governmental bodies. Blaming all bad designs on any one group is unfair. But you still don't want bad designs. And unfortunately, once the building has been finished, it's often too late to change. Bad designs are often pushed with extraordinary vigor. Be prepared for seriously dysfunctional concepts that are beloved favorites of politicians, boards of trustees, architects, and others. Bad designs often seem to grow out of good intentions, which may suffer from a myopic pursuit of a single design element without regard to the undesirable functional impacts that may accompany it. A few of the features listed here are now banned by U.S. building codes, but they may be legal in other places.
COMMON DYSFUNCTIONAL ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN...