[Publib] Rem Koolhaas (architect of new Seattle Main)

[Joe Schallan]

If you think that the architect of a major American public
library might be concerned with the approachability,
comfort, usability, and ease of maintenance of his creation,
and with its role in advancing the mission of the library,
think again:

Sarah Williams Goldhagen, "Extra-Large,"  New Republic, Vol. 235, Issue 5, July 31, 2006, pp. 21-26. (Available in PDF via EBSCO Masterfile Premier.)

The concerns of renowned architects, it seems, are
not even remotely close to our concerns.  And if this
author is correct, Koolhaas's concern is to make
users of his buildings uncomfortable.  I will leave
it to the Seattle librarians who may be on the list
to tell us if he has succeeded with that in their
city.

Joe Schallan
Phoenix