The Parkdale Public Library is for Us
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Date
2019-07-31
Authors
Siu, Alexandra
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Waterloo
Abstract
The Parkdale Public Library in Toronto is an illustration of what
remains of democracy today. While government is deeming
libraries irrelevant with their funding cuts, and privatized cafes are
taking over as ‘public’ social spaces for the middle-class, the Parkdale
Public Library still exists as a needed free resource for everyone.
In this library, away from the rest of the city, two unsuspecting
individuals from different walks of life meet in line while waiting for
the computers, and a senior woman is reading her poetry aloud to a
crowd of friends, community, and strangers.
This thesis investigates public neighborhood libraries as an
opportunity for the democratic engagement of individuals at a time
when we hardly look a stranger in the eye. It observes the relations
between library patrons in order to question the current limits of
our civil interactions. New design possibilities are then explored in
an attempt to find a building form to better reflect public life within
Parkdale Public Library.
The research culminates in a design proposal for a re-imagined
neighbourhood library in Parkdale, Toronto and takes a stand for libraries
as vital interior public spaces that are currently going unnoticed. A critical
analysis of Toronto Public Libraries, successful library precedents, and
the site context of Parkdale help to inform the design. Derived from
these analyses is a proposal of a new library that would signal a world of
humanity inside- one which is free, expressive and empathetic. The new
proposal makes known the vitality of library spaces relative to everyone’s
lives.
The central design method draws on observations made at Parkdale Public
Library as a means for creating an environment that better encourages
self-expression and engagement with others. The design will fulfill the
functional requirements of the library with crucial design elements that
respond to the particular characteristics of Parkdale and its people. It
proposes the utilization of additional programming, spatial framing and
spatial anchors to influence and highlight moments of connection between
people of blatant or intimidating difference. Ultimately, the architecture is
positing that a new material aesthetic reality is needed to invite the public
in, so that they may come to know the important reality of tolerance,
solidarity and genuine self-expression happening inside our libraries.
Description
Keywords
public libraries, architecture, affordances, aesthetics, parkdale public library, democratic engagement, humane architecture