Indescribable…Indestructible! Nothing Can Stop it! THE BLOB!

Ok well something can stop it… fascists, I'm sorry did I say that? I meant to say the ever mighty bureaucratic red tape... yes that's better. 

The Eye Above Prague - Proposed Design for National Library of the Czech Republic

The highly contentious proposed design for the new National Library in Prague is perhaps one of the most interesting and striking designs for a library in recent history. The design generated so much controversy the debate brought up very real concerns about Czech identity and the fragility of a new democracy.  

Confucius says: "Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without."

On a small island in Copenhagen you'll find the only diamond Elizabeth Taylor (R.I.P.) never got her hands on (too soon?): The Black Diamond a.k.a. The Royal Library in Copenhagen.  

The Black Diamond

Standing 24 meters above the harbour the 7 floor sculptural monoliths’ polished black granite sparkles reflecting the water below.[i] The library extension is radically different in both form and function from the former library, which is attached to the new building.  The glass walls symbolize transparency and inclusiveness where the former library was thought of as elitist. [ii] 

Colossal Controversy over the Creation of Canada's Colosseum

Next stop on our little tour is Vancouver.

Vancouver Library Square
Photo Courtesy of Vancouver Public Library

If you forget about the Stanely Cup riots for a moment you would think that with all their yoga and other recreational activities Vancouverites would be a rather mellow bunch. Well apparently not when it comes to building a new library, in that case they are down right feisty.  Even after 70% of respondents voted in favor of Safdie’s design the choice was heavily criticized.[i]  The design was called racist, unoriginal and unauthentic.[ii]

Move over Space Needle there's a new Icon in Town

Seattle Public Library - Photo Courtesy of Seattle Public Library

                                                                            

The first stop on any tour of modern library design is the land of Java, Grunge, and Gates. The Seattle Central Library put public libraries on the map. Few public libraries had ever garnered so much attention and acclaim before its opening in May 2004. The ten-story glass and steel building was designed by Pritzer Prize-winning Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, and at the time of completion, it was largest of its kind in the United States.[i]