GUEST OPINION
Dark and light designs side by side (Photos – Graphics Dept.)
When the drawings of the Pasadena Public Library draft redesign were unveiled on March 13, the result was a modern take on a library from the past.
By Rena Kurlander
The sleek and bright redesign advances to a hopeful future for Pasadena.
But something happened along the way, very quietly.
This design retreated from a shining beacon for the future of modern community engagement in libraries — to — a retreat to the past.
The American Library Association report on designing libraries said, “for centuries the structure and appearance of academic libraries reflected the primacy of the collection and the structure of the bookstacks housing that collection.” That’s the mahogany.
The report expands on the future, “Realized through information and learning commons, including individual computer workstations and cafés, this led to a need for a very different footprint within libraries, which challenged existing architecture and was increasingly made possible by the transfer of significant portions of the book and journal collection to off-site storage.” This is the future.
Why does the redesign of the redesign look like a railroad tycoon’s library from the 1800s? Mahogany? So 20th century.
See for yourself.
Where and how did this change take place?
Top: Original design. Bottom: Current design (Photos – PPL)
The darker version is far more preferable – it helps maintain the beauty of the original. I agree – why does an “earthquake retrofit” mean a complete demolishing of the traditional beauty of this extraordinary library?
I prefer the darker tones; not only is it more evocative of the library’s storied history, it’s more conducive to visual comfort. “Modernizing” the interior would be incongruous with the structure’s exterior.
I love the way the current library looks inside, it was one of my favorite buildings. So the closer to that the better.
In modern Pasadena, it is guaranteed that no design for anything will ever make everyone happy. In those days the use of exotic wood was to send a message of wealth. But like the beautifully executed Gamble House, it can seem a little Dark. Just my opinion. I like the light-filled interior of the new design
This project was to be a earthquake retrofit of our still historically beautiful library, Not an attempt to turn it into a giant Apple Store!…
What is “bleak” about the warmer and more welcoming mahogany interior which is a better fit to the exterior characteristics of this historic building?
Perhaps the darker color wood means that it will still be desirable to production companies for filming….?