Vassiliki K. Demakis

The objective of this project was to design a library made of timber construction for the south side of Chicago. The intent of the design was to incorporate a making and growing program, such as a seed library, a maker space, and even a collection of books that included planting and furniture making.

The main emphasis of this project was the concept of colored light. Through the study of how different colored light affects mood, productivity, and the spaces we learn in, placement of colored skylights was determined based on the program that was below it. Areas that included planting used blue or red colored light while green light was used in areas like reading and computer labs in order to regulate circadian rhythms.

The form of the building was derived from many iterations of slanted triangles in order to allow the skylights ample natural light into the spaces. This started as inspiration from origami paper folding and resulted in a multifaceted roof that became a strong presence on this site. The shape of the floor plan was determined by traffic patterns pedestrians used when crossing the site from the street to the station. An interior garden was also a big feature in the design in order to allow visitors use of space for gardening and outdoor learning. A large mural wall in the interior courtyard was also incorporated to encourage art in a neighborhood that has a vibrant history. Development of potential facade systems were further explored and a detailed ⅛” = 1’ 0” physical model became an important tool in learning how the design could be constructed.