Halifax Central Library — Design Presentation
Media Release
For immediate release Monday, Nov. 1, 2010
The design phase of the Central Library is coming to a close with the fifth public consultation meeting at Pier 21 on Thursday, Nov. 4 from 7-9 p.m. At this meeting, the Central Library architects will identify the trends from all four of the previous public meetings and show how the building design has responded to the ideas from the public.
“At the last meeting we presented floor-by-floor plans and two options for the exterior of the building. Based on the feedback we heard at that meeting, we’ve made some adjustments and are presenting what we hope will be very close to the final design for the new Central Library,” said George Cotaras, lead architect with Fowler, Bauld & Mitchell.
Local firm Fowler Bauld & Mitchell (FBM), partnered with schmidt hammer lassen (shl), are the architects for the Central Library. FBM have been responsible for a number of environmentally innovative buildings in Halifax, including Citadel High School and Dalhousie’s Mona Campbell Building. Shl is a highly regarded European firm with a reputation of creating sustainable and innovative public buildings including the Royal Library in Copenhagen. Morten Schmidt is the lead architect with shl.
The design consultation phase is part of the total $57.6-million budget for the Central Library project. Public meetings were held in June, July, August and September. Halifax Public Libraries and both architecture firms have also engaged the public through a series of focus group meetings, to ensure that a wide variety of groups have had a voice in this project.
“The Central Library will belong to the community, and through this public consultation process, it has been shaped by the community,” said Cotaras.
For more information about the Central Library, visit halifaxcentrallibrary.ca For those unable to attend the public meetings, input about the Central Library can be given via Facebook, Twitter (@hfxpublib) or in person at any branch. The meeting will also be broadcast live at halifaxcentrallibrary.ca and participants can share their ideas via live chat.
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Contact
Kasia Morrison
Communications Officer
Halifax Public Libraries
Phone: (902) 490-5852
Cell: (902) 476-8605
Email: morrisk@halifax.ca