[Publib] New Building question

[Robert L. Balliot]

Greetings,

 

I am not sure that I buy the idea that it would cost less to have

multi-levels inside instead of grading the lot.  When I think of

the cost of multiple concrete pours, ramps, and steps compared

to one level surface, the dollars seems to add up very quickly.

 

If you can design with no steps and no ramps there are tremendous

efficiencies gained along with workspace flexibility.  In the next fifty

years changing the interior to suit changing needs would

mean working around the ramps and steps.  And, as far as

an interior space use of square footage, a ramp can only

be used as a ramp and a step only a step.  

 

In new public library buildings I recently toured in Canada, 

there was no aesthetic need to break up the space with ramps

and steps.  There are plenty of functional items that can

be used and displayed to serve that purpose.

 

 

*************************************************

Robert L. Balliot

1-401-441-5763

Skype: RBalliot

Bristol, Rhode Island

http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm

*************************************************

  _____  

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Laura Condit
Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 6:22 PM
To: Tina Branco; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] New Building question

 

Hopefully we won't have the skateboarding issues as our ramps and steps are
actually inside the building. But you never know - they might still go for
it!

 

Laura

  _____  

From: Tina Branco [mailto:tbranco at hughes.net] 
Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 5:17 PM
To: Laura Condit
Subject: RE: [Publib] New Building question

 

Not to mention skate boarders who think the ramps are a personal amusement
park. 

Tina Branco

South Thomaston Me

 

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Laura Condit
Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 5:14 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] New Building question

 

We are in the process of working on the plans for our new library. The
architects want to avoid grading the site, so they are planning to put
20-foot ramps and 3-4 steps running across the middle of the library. 

 

We don't like this idea, as we feel it will cause problems for people with
mobility issues, and both the ramps and the steps just seem like places for
children to get into trouble (running, jumping, swinging on the rails, etc.)
Can any of y'all give me advice from your personal experiences about this
issue? 

 

I appreciate your help!

 

Laura Condit

Technical Services Librarian

Smith Public Library

Wylie, Texas

972-442-7566

laura.condit at wylietexas.gov

 

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