Vaughan Civic Centre Resource Library
Doublespace Photography

Vaughan Civic Centre Resource Library

ZAS | Architects + Interiors as Architects

Resulting from an extensive visioning process exploring the evolving role of the library in the digital age, The Vaughan Civic Centre Resource Library by ZAS Architects is a visionary maker-space dedicated to community learning, gathering, creating and celebration.


Engaging new users in record numbers since opening, the transformative community centerpiece aims to empower local residents of all ages and demographics, inviting an exploration of learning in the library with the tools and technology of the 21st century.


Capturing the attention and imagination of the residents of Vaughan, the library’s ethereal façade and shifting translucent form beacon the community, making a clear statement that this is a meeting place created for the future of the city.


Adjacent to City Hall, the exterior’s whimsical geometric form negotiates a shift in scale between City Hall’s Clock tower and historic Sarah Noble/ Beaverbrook House, signaling the beginning of the larger Vaughan Civic Centre Campus.


Revealing layers of open interior spaces, the reflective façade appears ever-changing in a constant play of light. It’s complex geometry forms a loop around the central interior courtyard, it’s pattern shifting glass panels representing the overlap of ideas and user groups who gather inside.


Marking a transformation from traditional historic library architecture, flexible spaces create an empowering community amenity, encouraging social interaction and group learning. Akin to a contemporary bookstore, the library’s marketplace café, and open reading area welcome visitors as they enter the immersive environment.


In contrast to the monochromatic exterior façade, colourful furniture and glass animate a fluid series of bright spaces, balancing open meeting areas with places for private study. Dynamic natural lighting acts as a guide throughout the space, directing visitors as they explore the collection. Prominent and visible from the library’s entrance and also around the building is an anchoring outdoor garden courtyard and symbolic red maple “Tree of Knowledge”. Collaboration spaces, meeting rooms, a ‘teen-only’ lounge, public-access computers, a large study hall, and an extensive children’s activity area form a circle around the courtyard, representing a circle of community.


From the café to the central outdoor courtyard, the vibrant two-storey facility hosts extensive public activity space far beyond the library’s collection of books. Accessible for all, visitors are encouraged to animate ideas within the library’s maker-spaces.


Computer modeling and 3D printers, a media suite, sound recording studio, video studio and green screen all creates hands-on opportunities to learn, discover curiosities and hone craft.


Multi-generational and diverse, each space within has been designed to foster learning for wide-ranging user groups. Students from primary school to postsecondary, new Canadian residents, teens, toddlers and parents have all been given spaces to learn and connect with one another in social interaction zones that includes flexible furniture arrangements.


Indicative of a library’s ‘function in –flux’, highly flexible, movable book collection stacks offer flexibility for librarians and visitors to use the space in multiple ways, as the needs of the community evolve daily or annually.


Exposing residents to new possibilities of discovery, public areas are transparent and visually interlinked.


Expansive glazing at the street level engages all passing by to join the activity inside. Social zones, lounge seating, and individual study space also surround the perimeter windows, maximizing light and views while creating a direct connection with the neighbourhood beyond.


Throughout, dynamic multi-functional spaces embody the library’s transformation, from a place of solitude and reflection to one of social connection and creative discovery. ”The Vaughan Public Library Board’s vision for the new Civic Centre Resource Library was to create a destination that would inspire creativity, provide a welcoming place to gather and interact, and enrich community life for the citizens of the City of Vaughan. ZAS Architects and Interiors, through collaborative design, have accomplished exactly that.” Margie Singleton, CEO - Vaughan Public Libraries


”From the outset of this project we worked closely with the City of Vaughan and the Vaughan Public Libraries to conceptualize a library that would distinguish itself functionally and architecturally. The result not just a notable building but one that is being embraced by all ages in the local community and the City” Paul Stevens, Principal - ZAS Architects


Site location & Campus


Prominently located within the City of Vaughan’s Civic Centre campus, the new resource library is respectful of a master plan approach based on the creation of a central and progressive community destination. Optimally positioned along a pedestrian promenade leading to the City’s main centre of government, it’s whimsical design contrasts with its surroundings with a design strategy based on the library as a place of discovery and “transformation


The main entrance to the library marks the highest sloping point of the building, similar to the Civic Centre’s more traditional clock tower. However this is achieved through a large horizontal cantilevered tower rather than mimicking the tall vertical tower of City Hall, and thereby creating a visual dialogue between both as entrance markers for the public.


A collection of concave semi-mirrored surfaces make-up the Library’s transformative façade. Reflecting its surroundings and patrons, the façade reveals a layered set of interior spaces with a tiered courtyard at its centre.


The playful form and roofline are inspired by the curved elements of a roller coaster track at nearby Canada’s Wonderland theme park. Over the course of the day, the building appears to dissolve from transparent to solid, its geometric form constantly shifting and changing with the daylight. The ethereal form is permanent yet ghostly, similar to the ever-changing Aurora Borealis.


Overlapping glass patterns are suggestive of the library’s diverse areas or learning, and also of its diverse demographics. Smaller window proportions help to reduce the overall building scale to a pedestrian level, control sunlight and minimize glare while sensitively responding to the context of adjacent heritage buildings. These patterns also help to create an interesting play of light and shadow inside the library.


Flexibility


Highly flexible furniture, including movable collection stacks, allows for spaces within the library to be easily reconfigured as needed. The building has been designed for adaptability, anticipating future functions and uses. Integration of the central courtyard allowed for the creation of a building with fewer walls, resulting in more flexible space.


The children's area


An extensive Children’s area is open and visible from most of the library, yet clearly distinct as it’s own dedicated space with playful colours, furniture, lighting and unique design details used only in this area.


Structure & perimeter glazing


An efficient and dynamic structural steel system minimizes obstacles within the collection space resulting in highly flexible interior spaces that meet the library’s adaptability mandate. The introduction of a central courtyard creates a narrow floor plate in all directions, while perimeter glazing on both sides provides maximum access to daylight and views.


Acoustics


Advanced acoustic design and multiple panels suspended from the ceiling allows for focused area groups to exist independently, remaining quiet even in the absence of partitioned walls.


Transparency : Multi-generational design Transparent walls throughout visually interlink spaces within the library while making a connection to the surrounding community. Colorful transparent glass walls create distinct and private collaboration spaces for the library’s unique user groups while maintaining a cohesive space connected throughout. Marketplace cafe


Adjacent to the membership desk, a Marketplace Café provides an opportunity for visitors to buy refreshment without leaving the library, inviting all to linger. creates a narrow floor plate in all directions, while perimeter glazing on both sides provides maximum access to daylight and views.


Providing a visual connection to nature, the second floor rooftop terrace features loungelike furniture and seating making it an ideal event space overlooking the exterior courtyard below.


All exterior spaces are convenient, publically accessible from within the collection space, yet contained within transparent walls ensuring the collections security


A city of six communities


The conceptual plan of this central resource library is fundamentally based on the idea of communities coming together. The City of Vaughan is made up of six historic or modern communities centred around the community of Maple, where this library is located.


A Venn Diagram of overlapping circles conceptually generates the plan form and the union of those circles is represented by an exterior courtyard within the centre of the library


Native and perimeter tree planting


Rooting the library within the context of the site, native plants are drought tolerant, reconnect citizens to the native environments and are habitat for local fauna. Tree planting creates a positive microclimate around the building by providing shade and wind blocks around the building.


High-performance envelope


30% of the envelope is sloped (self-shading) glazing with low-e and argon fill, and 40% highly insulated metal panel.


White roof reduces heat loss/ solar gain, heat island effect, and retains storm water run off.


Occupancy sensors reduce energy use by 40%.

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