Building Design
The Halifax Central Library will be a public building; therefore, the public has been consulted about the design of the building through a series of five public consultation meetings and a number of focus group meetings. The focus groups included meetings with immigrants, African Nova Scotians, First Nations, teens, cultural organizations, parents and other groups.
The public consultation meetings are attended by architects from the building design team. George Cotaras, lead architect with Fowler, Bauld & Mitchell and Morten Schmidt, lead architect with schmidt hammer lassen architects present concepts, speak with participants and hear feedback. All of the ideas gathered at the meetings go to the architects to inform the design of the building.
Schedule and attendance of public consultation meetings:
| June 10, 2010 | 250 attendees |
| July 8, 2010 | 100 attendees |
| Aug. 25, 2010 | 120 attendees |
| Sept. 30, 2010 | 180 attendees |
| Nov. 4, 2010 | 250 attendees |
Many themes have emerged from the meetings, some of the most common things that people have said were:
- flexible, dynamic spaces, functionality
- awe-inspiring, distinctive and innovative architecture
- accessible and welcoming
- green technology and eco-friendly
- a design that will last for the next 100 years
- an outdoor, sheltered space for festivals
- an aquarium
- an atrium
- a design that reflects the aesthetic of the city
The last public consultation meeting in the design phase will take place on Thursday, Nov. 4 at Pier 21 from 7-9 p.m. A design will be presented at this meeting.
