Library Square Architectural Information
Introduction
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This guide covers sources of architectural information on the Library Square complex, from the initial architectural competition to reviews of the finished building. The Library Square complex occupies an entire city block in downtown Vancouver, bordered by Hamilton, Homer, Robson and West Georgia streets. It includes the Vancouver Public Library, and the adjoining 21 storey Federal Government Office Tower. The complex was designed by architect Moshe Safdie, who won an international competition in 1991. The grand opening took place on May 26, 1995. |
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Search Strategies
Bibliography - Newspaper and Magazine Articles
Architect's Journal; May 6, 1992, v.195(18), pg 7; Moshe Safdie's Vancouver win
Architectural Record; July 1992, v.180(7), pg 21; $125m Safdie project in VancouverMarch 1997, v.185(3), pg 25; Architectural pres roundup (Editor, Peter Davies' attack on the design on Moshe Safdie's public library in Vancouver)
Architectural Review; Jan. 1997, v.201(1199), pg 21;
When in Vancouver, don't do as the Romans
Architecture; Oct. 1995, v.84, pg 43+, 72-9, 101-5;
A special section on library architecture
ASHRAE Journal; March 1998, v. 40(3), pg 76;
Innovative Underfloor System
Award; Sept. 1994, pg 38;
Library Square
British Columbia Report; April 27, 1992, v.3(34), pg 13;
A colossal decision: a radically ancient design is selected for Vancouver's new library.
Canadian Architect; July, 1992, v. 37(7), pg 20-27+;
Vancouver Library Square competition: a public affair.
August 1995, v.40(8); Libraries 4: toga party
Canadian Consulting Engineer; January 1994, pg 12;
Concrete colosseum requires innovative engineering
Canadian Interiors; May/June/July 1995, v. 32(2), pg 24-25;
Public spaces: critics dismiss architect Moshe Safdie's design as post-modernist folly but the public approves the spectacular views.
Chinatown News; Sept. 18, 1994, v.43, pg 15;
New library to be Vancouver's downtown signature
Competitions; Sept. 1997, v.34(3), pg 2;
Editorial/Review
Daily Commercial News; May 8, 1992, v.65(91), pg 1, 3;
Back to our origins: Safdie designs $100m project in Vancouver
Engineering News Record; July 27, 1992, v.229(4), pg 25;
Design invokes coliseum
Feliciter; Feb. 1996, v.42(2), pg 20-24;
Architecture and libraries: a Canadian perspective
Financial Post Daily; Sept. 16, 1992, v.5(129), pg 11;
Uproar in Vancouver: Safdie's library design stirs strong emotions
Globe and Mail; Nov. 16, 1991, pg C11; Squaring off for Library Square: the three finalists will soon be announced for a new $120m complex in Vancouver
April 15, 1992, pg C1; Vancouver's Library Square goes to Safdie
June 17, 1992, pg A11; Revised Library Square plan approved: some aspects scaled down in Vancouver project
May 27, 1995, pg C8; A page from Safdie: Vancouver will finally get to peek inside its new public library
June 1, 1995, pg A2; World-class building or Roman knock-off?
April 26, 1997, pg C18; Canada's master of the popular gesture library design stirs strong emotions
May 27, 2005, Globe Review pg R8; Safdie revisits Library Square
Journal of Commerce; March 9, 1992, v. 81(19), pg 20; Three firms remain for Library Square (Vancouver)
March 27, 1995, pg. FS13; Concrete structural properties proved in Vancouver landmark
Journal of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, 2000; v. 25(1), pg 3-17;
Conditions of modernity : Si[gh]tings from Vancouver and Vancouver
Library Quarterly, 2002; v. 72(3),
The public place for central libraries : Findings from Toronto and Vancouver
Macleans; May 27, 1996, v.190(22), pg 22-23;
Vancouver bold new building style
National Post; July 24, 2006, pg A2;
A field waves on the Vancouver skyline
New Republic; June 26, 1995, v.212(26), 42;
Civic ceremonies
Province; March 4, 1992, pg A5;
Design proposals for the library unveiled
March 17, 1992, pg C3; Voice of the citizenry counts for a library we can live with and in
April 12, 1992, pg A30; Final chapter in competition for new library
April 15, 1992, pg A1, A6; Back to future for library design
May 15, 1992, pg C1
June 18, 1992, pg A36; Library concept's one for the books
October 7, 1992, pg A20
May 2, 1995, pg A6; This is a space for the people
Saturday Night; March 1996, v.111(2), pg 82;
A sight for sore eyes
Toronto Star; March 14, 1992, pg H12; Library designs have Vancouver abuzz
April 16, 1992, pg B7; Safdie's newest project an arena for literature.
Vancouver Courier; June 12, 2005 pg 9;
A public garden for library roof?
Vancouver Magazine; January 1993, v.26(1), pg 41-50; Mistake or masterpiece?
May/June 1995, v.28(3), pg 60-65+; Architect of boom: Moshe Safdie's library opens this month.
Vancouver Sun; Sept. 18, 1991, pg A12; Design makes a difference
Nov. 9, 1991, pg A2; Bookies' odds 5-2 against locally designed library
Dec. 4, 1991, pg B9; Erickson not a finalist
Dec. 6, 1991, pg B1
Dec. 10, 1991, pg A2
Dec. 12, 1991, pg D1; Shelve the architectural glory, just build us a library
March 4, 1992, pg B1, B2; Design proposals for the library unveiled
March 5, 1992, pg C1, C5; Which Library Square?
March 21, 1992, pg D4, D5; And the winner should be
March 25, 1992, pg B2; Classic design
April 15, 1992, pg A1; Roman coliseum-style design approved
April 18, 1992, pg B9; High tech, futuristic, comfy, and familiar
April 21, 1992, pg B1
April 23, 1992, pg C8
May 1, 1992, pg A3; We should say shhh
May 12, 1992, pg C3; Toronto hates our Colosseum?
May 14, 1992, pg A7, C7
May 16, 1992, pg B5; Colossal blunder
June 18, 1992, pg C7; Safdie swears we'll all love the un-colossal main library
October 8, 1992, pg D1
Feb. 1, 1993, pg C3/4; Architect Safdie interviewed
Feb. 2, 1993, pg B4; Finding old horseshoe called a lucky omen at ground-breaking
Feb. 11, 1993, pg C3, C4; Architect Safdie heartened by quick pace of Vancouver's library Square complex
Feb. 11, 1993, pg C6
Oct. 1, 1993, pg C3
Feb. 9, 1994, pg C4; Construction of library edifice proceeds according to plan
May 16, 1994, pg C1/C2; Taking the library for granite
June 30, 1994, pg B3; Well rounded
Dec. 10, 1994, pg A4; Brave new world
Dec. 14, 1994, pg C5; Artists booked for library competition
Dec. 31, 1994, pg C6; Safdie structures rule culture zone with presence that can't be ignored
April 20, 1995, pg B1; Construction din fills new library
April 24, 1995, pg A3; Time will tell how the new library stacks up with its neighbors
May 24, 1995, pg F1-F8; Your new library (special feature)
September 24, 2005, pg B2; Two cities, two libraries (Seattle and Vancouver)
Western Commerce and Industry Magazine; July/August 1992, v.44(3), pg 7;
Vancouver approves library square design.
Other Sources of Information
Internet
There is an excellent internet site for information about Moshe Safdie: The Moshe Safdie Hyper Media Archive
The Moshe Safdie Hyper Media Archive includes an updated bibliography of articles, chapters in books, and other writings about Safdie and his various buildings. Take a look at this section of the site for Library Square information.
To find out more about plans for the roof of the central library, take a look at the Vancouver Public Library green roof project.
Click here for general information on Library Square and the Vancouver Public Library Central Branch.
Clipping Files
The Special Collections Department (level 7) maintains a clippings file of newspaper articles, primarily from the Vancouver Sun, Vancouver Province, and the Globe & Mail, under the heading
VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY - LIBRARY SQUARE.
Print Index
The Architectural Index:
SAFDIE, MOSHE.
Key Materials
A selection of related books and other library materials.
Related Newspapers, Articles, Encyclopedias & More
Selected online newspapers, journals, magazines, audiobooks, indexes, and other resources providing more information. Have your library card ready, as you may need to log in.
Canadian Business and Current Affairs
Last updated on February 24, 2010
