Architecture and the Street

Via Montreal City Weblog, here is an excellent article (in English) from the Globe and Mail (Toronto) about the new Grande Bibliotheque, with more information than I've read elsewhere about the architects (Patkau Architects of Vancouver). And Chris DeWolff has posted a nice portfolio of pictures here.

Comments

[Marja-Leena]

That library sounds marvellous, and I've enjoyed reading your posts about it, but I'm surprised that the Patkaus' usual connection to the ourdoors did not happen this time. Did you know that they are a brilliant husband and wife team who studied at the School of Architecture at the U. of Manitoba. Back in my student days at UofM, the Fine Arts Building was next door, connected by a tunnel. All Art, Interior Design and Architecture students took Art History lectures together in the Architecture Bldg. I spent many of my limited free hours in their fabulous library. I wonder if I rubbed shoulders with them?

[butuki]

I'm always surprised and delighted by the number of really wonderful architectural designs that come out of Canada. While I was studying architecture at the University of Oregon very often the designs that I would choose as context and precedence studies would be Canadian ones. There just seems to be a joy in the aesthetic that comes out in the works. And this spills over to literature, art, theatre, music, and the cinema. What is it about Canada that makes the artistic tradition so rich and fresh?

[beth]

Actually, I don't agree with the criticism about the Bibliotheque being ugly frrm the outside, and being disconnected with the street. First of all, (and maybe I just see it because I live nearby) at night the blue-green transluscent exterior is really beautiful, exciting, and new. And there is nothing on the street near there that is so exciting, or ancien, that the architects SHOULD have communicated with it, particularly. I think the building was seen as a catalyst for revitalisation of the area, and that we'll see the surroundings communicate more with IT, over time, rather than the other way around. My feeling is that the exterior was a courageous and bold move, and if people don't "get" it at first, eventually they will.