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As the construction clock winds down and the November 1st opening date comes closer, the New Central Library is attracting global attention. The $245 million project in the East Village has been named one of the 12 most anticipated buildings of 2018 by Architectural Digest, finding a spot next to innovative developments like Copenhagen's Amager Bakke and China's Nanjing Green Towers.
The library aims to offer 21st century educational experiences for visitors of all ages, dedicating space for meeting rooms, a 350-seat performance hall, a children's learning centre, and a teen section with video, music and gaming capabilities. Calgarians will have the opportunity to interact with these features in the fall when the building opens, but for now, their only impression of the library is its avant-garde exterior, which is underscored by large windows and natural wood embellishments.
The user-oriented aspect of the design obviously appealed to Architectural Digest, which heaped praise on the building for its dynamic exterior and interior spaces:
Fundamentally, Calgary's new library is about connecting residents to public spaces. Located at the intersection between Downtown Calgary and the East Village, the Snøhetta-designed structure lifts to become a gateway from one exciting neighborhood to the next. The building also hovers over the existing Light Rail Transit Line, which cuts through the heart of the city. The geometrically designed exterior will draw residents into the activities occurring inside the library, while those upper levels (which aren't as open to the public to see from outside) allow for a more quiet, traditional library experience.
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