WINNER OF A 2015 CANADIAN ARCHITECT AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
ARCHITECT RDH Architects (RDHA)
LOCATION Brampton, Ontario
A hill-like green roof hints at the dramatic ravine landscape just beyond the library. Inside, the ground and ceiling planes are inflected to create tailored spaces for kids? programs and socializing.
This project creates a new branch library and community park for the neighbourhood of Springdale, in the City of Brampton, just outside Toronto. The building provides 1860 square metres of library program space along with a 465-square-metre multi-purpose community room. The neighbourhood park includes areas for children?s play equipment, a splash pad, parking and a contemplative garden.
The four-acre greenfield site is bordered by Bramalea Road to the south, a new commercial plaza to the east, and a natural ravine to the north and west. The ravine forms part of the tributary system for the West Humber River. To connect the building to its landscape, the conceptual parti uses two primary devices: first, the notion of an organic, undulating perimeter joining building and courtyards; and second, the creation of an artificial topography within the flat landscape of the park, the floor slab of the interior, and the ceiling and roof planes of the library structure.
The central reading area is covered by a tent-like ceiling, topped by a skylight.
Responding to the library?s request, the new facility is located as close to Bramalea Road as possible. This maximizes the lib...