a4architects » Olivia Emery

Basalt Regional Library Inside

Olivia Emery — Mon, 24 May 2010 19:32:30 +0000

: Newspapers are displayed adjacent to the fireplace in the main reading room. Windows look out onto a public park, which is in the flood plain of the Roaring Fork River.

: The Library is separated from the Community Room by a common entry that serves as a reception area for Community Room events and as a place for people to gather, chat, or have a coffee either before entering the Library itself.The Community Room, like the main reading room of the Library, is sheathed in regionally obtained aspen boards, variously spaced over absorbent backing for various acoustic requirements.

: The north end of the reading room lifts up to afford a view of the top of Basalt Mountain across the river. Subdued light combined with comfortable seating and good work areas make this the most popular place in the Library.

: The steel structure of the main reading room was inspired by trees in the flood plain just north of the building site. Daylight enters from clerestories, which are glazed with glass or translucent plastic panels depending on the solar orientation. Small alcoves are recessed into the sides of the large wood volume to accommodate reserve shelves, small meeting rooms and service areas.

: Our Associated Architect, OZ Architecture, came up with this circle of aspens as a way to identify the children’s library and to provide some separation between the younger and older users of this space. The gray patch of carpet was eventually replaced with plexi-glass to allow a view into the 18″ tall underfloor plenum, which allows for low velocity air delivery and data and power modifications as technology or furniture layouts change.

Olivia Emery — Mon, 24 May 2010 18:23:56 +0000

: Greg Watts took this photo soon after the Library opened in January 2010. The Childrens’ Library is in the smaller volumes to the left.

Basalt Regional Library

Olivia Emery — Mon, 24 May 2010 17:40:28 +0000

Greg Watts took this photograph soon after the Library opened in January 2010. Library visits jumped from approximately 300 to 1000 per day soon after the new facility opened and have remained high ever since.

Carbondale Remodel

Olivia Emery — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:34:23 +0000

You’ve seen this split-level house in every subdivision from the 1970’s. We added a master bedroom suite over the garage and an entry and living room in front, giving this house a much longer life span for a growing family.

Before

After

Thompson Park Street View

Olivia Emery — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:02:46 +0000

Thompson Park Development Plan

Olivia Emery — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:27:36 +0000

Aerial view of 3D model showing site and surrounding buildings in white

This project is currently in the public approvals proceess in Carbondale. The model and images within the site are key to helping planners, public commissions and the public understand densities, character and the relationship of the proposal to its surroundings.