Precedent: Vancouver library square/ architect: Moshe Safdie
	S o c i a l A r c h i t e c t u r e
	Introduction: My first impression of the project is undoubtedly “A replica of coliseum in Rome!”, and as such it was hard not to notice this building when I was in Vancouver. Safdie’s new library was very controversial; in fact it brought not just harsh critique, but protesting by architectural students. However, the new library was selected by the public ballot and eventually it became the hub of the community; in fact it became a loved landmark by British Columbians.
	Interior arcade view		Site plan
	Analysis: Unlike exterior elliptical colonnaded mass, interior rectilinear box wrapped by a classical ellipse is extremely minimal keenly corresponding to the function of the library rather than to aestheticism. This dichotomy of the contexts of the building responses to both top to bottom and bottom to top design approaches. My interpretation of Safdie’s design is that he might have tried to provide a public icon which wasn’t prevalent in downtown Vancouver at that time. This can be understood as proactive approach by an architect toward the public in design to provide easily appreciable architectural design forms. It is invaluable for public architecture being understandable by the public because public architecture is not for certain aristocrats but for all kinds of people (public); public architecture has to be public’s architecture. Safdie’s library is very community-interactive in the way users are drawn from an external piazza into a mall-like arcade which curves beneath a glass roof. The program of the library – incorporating mall like features into the interior arcade - is very thoughtful because it breaks the negative notions of a library as a static and quiet studying place. People really love being in the library enjoying space of the arcade where lots of events happen. However, unlike interior arcade producing vibrant and multifaceted activities exterior piazza seems to be somewhat deserted; not even a single bench is placed despite large public circulation and mild temperature. External piazza should have been designed to promote more interactive socio-spatial use.
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