The Central Library of Seattle, Boston Public Library, and the Library of Congress are reputable reserves of all human wisdom and ideas from time in memorial. However, it strikes one to their inception, historical attachment, and their architectural designs. The three libraries were built from a historical attachment that corresponds to the American people’s loyalty and gratitude for the leaders and events. However, the historical attachment does not disqualify the need to explore the architectural designs, and the dire need to enhance knowledge through these libraries.
Again, the common design employed in the construction of the three libraries is the use of Renaissance-inspired art, the standard of the time. All three libraries were created for a definite purpose. The underlying reason is to promote knowledge.Nevertheless, its indirect message is how times and seasons influence the designers and builders. The Boston library, as well as the Jefferson Building, was constructed with the goal of showing the world what a fledgling nation is capable of achieving. However, the purpose of these late 19th century structures contrasts with that of modern creations like the Central Library of Seattle wherein form follows function.
The Thomas Jefferson building is more popularly known as the Library of Congress. One of the major reasons for building this edifice was to create a monument to honor the past. The builders “used the arts of the late nineteenth century to vivify the memory of the whole Western past and remind visitors of the debt of an ebullient New World to distant times and places – an architectural and artistic memorial” were influenced by European Renaissance art. The type of materials used demonstrates the commitment to the project and the overall purpose of the building. Consider the fact that “fifteen varieties of marble and 400,000 cubic feet of granite were used, as well as significant quantities of bronze, gold, and mahogany”. The building is truly an awe-inspiring structure because of its architecture and the artistic embellishments that are presented in both the exterior and interior of the building.
It is quite clear that the libraries were constructed during the 19th century, which drove them to use the best design of the time. The design of a concession period for coming up with the build-operate-transfer (BOT) projects is critical to building development viability and completion risk management. The Central Library of Seattle has many similarities with the previous buildings examined in this study. First, the Seattle library was constructed through the passionate commitment of the people and the purpose of the building is for public use. The same is true for the Boston library because its utmost inscriptions say that it is “Free to All”. The same can be said of the Library of Congress, which may be an imposing structure, but it is open for everyone to use and enjoy.
The designers used the traditional forms of designs to give the picture of the historical attachment, as well as a strong motivation to serve the interest of the public. The designers, politicians and the public wanted to show the world what the American people are capable of and that they too are steep in high culture. Notwithstanding, the design touched on the social values and social awareness to reflect the emphasis of the values and history of the entire society.
The aesthetic effect of the design takes the pattern of the building ceiling and the outward look to reflect a social design. As such, the Library of Congress and the Boston Public Library reflect the continuity of romanticism design as conformed by the architectural and industrial designs. Another similarity is that all these buildings are the products of their time. The Library of Congress and the Boston Public Library have constructed one year apart, and they came hundred years after the American independence, and they are fresh from the memory of the Civil War. Thus, there is no better way to achieve this than to use Renaissance inspired art, the standard of the time.
The commercial feasibility of a concession contract and the complicatedness and uncertainty of projecting revenues over a long span of time are the chief obstacles to most promoter companies and subsequent ultimate principal taking over the project. Therefore, the allowance of a flexible schedule in the concession agreement to amend the concession period will substantially minimize the promoter’s likelihood of suffering a loss or gaining insufficient profit, but rather operate at a breakeven point. Further, the adjustment will allow predicted revenues to be achieved.
Renaissance marks all Library of Congress and the Boston Public Library explicitly to the revival of the design proficiency, and literary prototypes of the Classical age. Furthermore, it advances to differentiate the design of the present from that of the recent medieval past as compared with Greek temples, such as the temple erected in honor of the goddess Athena, comes to mind. Roman columns in the ionic style also come to mind. A combination of all these influences can help explain why one can find statues of Art and Science guarding the doors of the Boston Public Library.
Just like other monumental undertaking of that period, this library was supposed to make a statement. The best way to do that is to merge knowledge and beauty as depicted clearly in the inscriptions found at the entrance of the library and it reads: “Built by the People and Dedicated to the Advancement of Learning”. The graceful design and grand scale of the Boston Public Library bring to mind the type of sensational architectural designs that are common in Europe. The form of the Boston Public Library is that of a large Renaissance palazzo in pink Milford granite designed by Charles FollenMcKim to contrast with the darker colors of neighboring buildings in Copley Square. All different interior elements – entrance function and decoration – are subservient to the outer form of a solid block. However, the interior is dark – handsome to those who admire a stolid design giving an impression of stability, but heavy and oppressive to those who find libraries intimidating.
The Seattle Central Library is one of the most popular landmarks in the United States, particularly in the state of Washington. It is the flagship library of Seattle, Washington’s public library system. It is a structure with a forward-thinking design. The principal architect – Rem Koolhaas – used glass and steel as his main materials for the building. The architectural pride of Bilbao also displays an inventive use of glass and other unconventional materials. “While the dynamism and multiplicity of the Bilbao Guggenheim evoked the fragility of contemporary conditions, the crystalline form of the Seattle Library expresses the conceptual diagram – optimized programmatic platforms and maximized contextual relationships”. The designers further said that they intended to emphasize the fact that although the digital age is upon humankind, the love affair with the printed page has never gone out of fashion.
It is quite clear that the libraries were constructed during the 19th Century, which drove them to use the best design of the time. The 20th Centry is marked by the emergence of environmental and aesthetic values in the architectural sector. Again, the financial value of the buildings and constructions does not disregard the public attachment to a certain building due to its design and historical attachment. The concept of stewardship against environmental problems presents a level of conflict in the development of architectural designs. The three libraries were built from a historical attachment that corresponds to the American people loyalty and gratitude for the leaders and events. Again, the common design employed in construction of the three libraries is the use of Renaissance inspired art, the standard of the time. The design of a concession period for coming up with the build-operate-transfer (BOT) projects is critical to building development viability and completion risk management.
The construction and sustainability of the buildings involves the actual execution of work, as per design within the agreed limits of cost, time, and quality. Nigel (2006) explains that the promoter carries out the feasibility study with regard to the provisional bid and he/she is the principal for an invited offer.
Bibliography
Architect of the Capitol, Thomas Jefferson Building, 2011, Web.
Cole, J. & H, Reed, The Library of Congress: The Art and Architecture of the Thomas Jefferson Building, New York, W.W. Norton & Company, 1997.
Moeller, G, & Weeks, C, AIA Guide to the Architecture of Washington, D.C. 4th ed, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006.
Seligmann, A, Architectural Publicity in the Age of Globalization, 2008.
Boston Public Library, A Walking Tour, 2011, Web.