Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/423872
Kitchener Public library Central Branch and Civic district Parking Garage by Laurie Jones photos: a-frame studio F ifty years ago the population of Kitchener, Ontario, was approxi- mately 70,000. Its library, now regis- tered as a building of historical interest, was designed by renowned architect Carl Rieder, combining modern ameni- ties for the time and a classic fieldstone exterior. But five decades and an addi- tion of over 150,000 people to the com- munity proved to be too much for one library. Four other branches have been added, with a fifth slated for 2019, but the City of Kitchener still opted to revive the structure of the original location by building an addition and an adjacent parking garage. "The city had outgrown its library, especially at the central branch, which is where all the book research and pur- chasing comes through and is then dis- tributed to the four other branches," says David Warne, partner at LGA Archi- tectural Partners. "The central library is such an important piece of the puzzle and it really fell behind. There were very tight aisles between the bookshelves and it was so crowded the shelves had to be seven-feet high to squeeze every- thing in. This meant there was minimal space for public sitting areas." To address this issue, a 25,000- square-foot addition to the original structure was built, blending the best of the old structure with modern ame- nities in the new footprint, bringing the total square footage to 110,000 square feet. "Because the team was aiming for LEED Gold in this project, they had to bring the 1960s library up to cur- rent standards," says Warne. "From a comfort level, we discovered there was no insulation in the original walls and only a couple of inches of insulation in the roof. With LEED requirements, we needed to ensure heat efficiency, light and views were at maximum lev- els. For the extensive glazing, we used Solera + Lumira aerogel, a high-perfor- mance translucent daylighting that has pellets of air that fill up the interstitial space between the glass panes. This gives the windows an R9 value and also transmits and diffuses light." Warne says this project was also an opportunit y to incorporate the newly enacted AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act): "This requires four-foot corridors between book stacks, located in the centre of the room. We also created study nooks around the library and a variety of different spaces for people throughout the building." During the construction phase, keep- ing the library fully operational was a challenge. "The public was using the existing library entrances and exits," says Gary Hawkins, senior project man- ager, Maystar General Contractors Inc. "After the new addition was built, we relocated the library into that section." The team was then able to gain access to the existing library and do renova- tions there, including adding a second floor administration area over the for- mer children's section. "At that point, people had to walk through the con- struction site to reach the temporary library entrance," says Hawkins. "That was challenging to keep everyone safe." Adding to the esthetics of the project was the reading garden, located beside the library. "This is a secure spot acces- sible only from the library where peo- ple can sit outside and read," says Scott Torrance, president, Scott Torrance Landscape Architect Inc. "A fabulous feature is the historic stone wall from the former Waterloo County Gaol [jail] that was once beside the library, making the courtyard a nicely enclosed space." Native plants, grasses and service berries were incorporated to provide a textural contrast. Four mature trees stand in front of the building, and Torrance worked closely with the City of Kitchener's arborist to ensure the trees were saved and protected. "As long as they are not unsafe or hazardous, older trees always add character to a project. You can't plant new mature trees." The library is located in the Civic Centre, a section of Kitchener that is also home to offices for the Regional Munici- pality of Waterloo, Canada Revenue Agency, Waterloo Region Courthouse, small businesses and The Centre in the Square performing arts centre. All of these require parking, so the addition of a three-storey, underground garage was essential, and is already being well used. "We designed the parking area to include 412 spaces, with consideration for future building development as the city grows," says Paul McCormick, manager parking enterprise, City of Kitchener. "On top of the garage is a green space that has been sodded and can be used by the public. We've cre- ated an extension to Civic Centre park so the citizens of Kitchener can enjoy the urban plaza for relaxation or as a gathering place." Tim Schaner, associate at WalterFedy, confirms his company held two roles for the project – as the engineering team for the library and both architects and engineers for the parking garage. "The top level of the parking structure is level with the basement of the library," he says. "Users access this area from the parking area through a vestibule that has an elevator to the main library." Placing the two buildings together posed a few challenges. "The new garage is tight against the existing library building and we are approximately 30 feet into the ground, therefore we have to be careful with the shoring – first, for the old jail wall and second, for the library section," says Nigel Thompson, partner and structural engineer at WalterFedy. "The other thing we had to deal with was a relatively high water table. The garage is approximately 30-feet below grade and the water table is at 32 feet, so it was close." With all the challenges to make this project complete, the end results are well worth it and will undoubtedly last another 50 years. n Location 85 Queen Street North, Kitchener, Ontario owner/DeveLoper The Corporation of the City of Kitchener architect LGA Architectural Partners associate architect/ structuraL/MechanicaL/ eLectricaL/LeeD consuLtant – GaraGe portion WalterFedy GeneraL contractor Maystar General Contractors Inc. LanDscape architect Scott Torrance Landscape Architect Inc. MateriaL testinG consuLtant Peto MacCallum Ltd. BuiLDinG FacaDe consuLtant BVDA Facade Engineering Ltd. totaL area 110,000 square feet (library addition and renovations to existing building); 127,772 square feet (parking garage) totaL cost $46 million december 2014 /65 Kitchener Public Library central branch and civic district Parking Garage 8:37 AM