[Publib] $49,000 in signage to fix what the architect wrought

[James Casey]

Joe:

I visited the new Seattle PL during Mid-Winter and share your disdain
for the final result.  One of the most eminent building consultants in
Illinois was equally appalled.  

A staff doesn't have to be "cowed" in order for an architect to run wild
and create a wildly impractical edifice and throw "form follows
function" to the wind.  A Director who doesn't gather staff together and
develop a building program with specific service objectives for the
spaces laid out in advance -- perhaps years in advance -- of the
project's commencement is giving the future architect a green light to
create an "architecturally interesting" monstrosity.  The staff who do
the work need to be empowered to develop a very specific idea of what
they want and what in the way of work areas and public spaces.  If this
doesn't happen, the staff is effectively disenfranchised and the result
will be disaster.  The architect should not be viewed as "the expert" on
libraries and needs guidance from those library practitioners who intend
to work in the new facility.  

James B. Casey --- My own views.
Director of Oak Lawn Public Library
ALA Council Member (candidate for re-election)



-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Joe Schallan
Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2007 2:36 PM
To: Publib Publib Discussion
Subject: [Publib] $49,000 in signage to fix what the architect wrought

When I posted on the  
Koolhaas building previously, I was advised privately that Seattle's  
director so personally identifies with the project that any staff  
member commenting honestly on it would commit professional suicide.   
If that is so, I find it appalling that professional staff there  
would feel so cowed.)

The article begs the question:  How did it come to pass that an  
architect was so indulged that he was allowed to design an unusable  
building?  A building that now, shortly after its opening, requires  
$49,000 of internal signage?

Joe Schallan
Phoenix