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AADL Building Projects
The Library Branch Expansion Project
The vision of branch libraries for the Ann Arbor Library system began with former Library Director Homer Chance. Recognizing the need for access to materials and facilities beyond the Downtown Library, Chance opened the first branch library in Ann Arbor - the Loving Branch - in 1965. In 1977 the West Branch opened its doors and the Northeast Branch began serving the community in 1981.
In 1997, with a goal of providing superior public library services into the future, the Library embarked on a Facilities Need Analysis of the library system by consultant David Smith. His study found the three branch libraries severely lacking in square footage to meet current and future public needs.
Using data gathered in surveys, on-site interviews, and estimates of projected material collection sizes in the year 2020, Smith’s study called for the construction of several larger branch libraries to serve the long-term community needs. These would accommodate projected collection sizes and provide adequate meeting, event, storytime and teen spaces as well as areas for growing technology and staff work areas.
Since 1997, the Library has been working toward the goal of creating these larger, more functional branches constructed within the Library’s current authorized millage.
If you would like to donate to our building projects fund, you can do so on the Support AADL page or feel free to contact us with your suggestions or feedback.
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The current Downtown Library building consists of three different phases of construction: the original building built in 1957, a 1974 addition that doubled the size of that building, and a 1991 addition that doubled the building's size again. In 2007, the AADL hired library consultants PROVIDENCE Associates LLC to undertake a study examining the functions of this building and evaluating the building's feasibility for the next 20 years. The results of this study, which consisted of focus groups with over 100 users of the Downtown Library, led the AADL to begin the process of redesigning the Downtown Library.
The findings of this study led the AADL Board to issue a Request for Qualifications for Architectural and Engineering Services that eventually resulted in the selection of Luckenbach|Ziegelman Architects, PLLC of Ann Arbor. A joint survey with the Downtown Development Authority in spring 2008 provided the AADL with feedback from over 6000 members of the Ann Arbor community about the future of the Downtown Library. This survey was followed in June 2008 with three public meetings, open to all members of the community, about the Downtown Library Project.
Read more about the Downtown Library Project. |
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The Traverwood Branch Library, opened on June 30, 2008, is situated on 4.34 acres located in the southwest corner of Traverwood Drive and Huron Parkway in Ann Arbor. The Branch is a one-story building of approximately 16,500 square feet which replaced the Northeast Branch of AADL, located in Plymouth Mall.
The Traverwood Branch serves as a community-based learning center that delivers superior customer service, primarily to the residents of the northeast quadrant of Ann Arbor. The library includes a casual study area, a laptop computer bar, four study rooms and a meeting room with seating for 90. Electronic resources include 24 public computer terminals, 20 of which are located in an Electronic Training classroom, and wireless internet access.
Traverwood Branch is designed to have as little impact on natural landscape features as possible. Sustainable design features include an innovative stormwater management system and the reuse of harvested ash trees from the building site. A rain garden is located on the south side of the building. The design of the Branch takes advantage of natural day lighting.
Read more about the Traverwood Branch or visit our image gallery to see architect's drawings and photos of the construction. |
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Opened in March 2006, the Pittsfield Branch was designed to accommodate the needs of a library for a growing neighborhood while protecting the wetland on which it sits. The Pittsfield Branch is located on 5.74 acres of land on Oak Valley Drive in Pittsfield Township. It is a one-story building of approximately 14,600 square feet and is adjacent to the Ann Arbor Ice Cube arena.
The Branch serves as a community-based learning center that delivers superior customer service, primarily to the residents of the southwest quadrant of Ann Arbor and Pittsfield Township.
While its primary mission is to deliver traditional library services, the facility also includes a casual study area with vending and seating for 24 people and a meeting room for groups up to 100. The facility also houses a reading room for comfortable, leisurely reading, several quiet study and tutor rooms, and exhibit space for local artists and organizations. Electronic resources include 35 computer terminals, 18 of which are located in an Electronic Training classroom.
The building and the surrounding landscape capitalize on environmental principles, thereby allowing the overall project to operate more in harmony with the ecosystem and the community in which it serves.
Read more about the Pittsfield Branch or visit our image gallery to see photos and drawings of the building. |
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Opened in January 2004, the Malletts Creek Branch is a unique model of sustainable design featuring solar heating, natural day lighting, a vegetated green roof, convection cooling, naturally captured and filtered storm water, native plants and grasses, and many uses of materials that are renewable resources. The Malletts Creek Branch was awarded the 2005 American Institute of Architects Michigan (AIA Michigan) Award for Sustainable Design.
The Malletts Creek Branch is a one-story building of approximately 14,000 square feet that serves as a community-based learning center that delivers superior customer service, primarily to the residents of the southeast quadrant of Ann Arbor. It replaced the Loving Branch, which was no longer of adequate size to serve its customer base.
While its primary mission is to deliver traditional library services, the Branch also serves as a true community. This facility includes a vending area with seating for 20 people and a program room for groups of up to 120 people. The branch contains a collection of approximately 35,500 items. Electronic resources include 28 computer terminals, 18 of which are located in an Electronic Training classroom.
Read more about the Malletts Creek Branch or visit our image gallery to see photos and drawings of the building. |
Submitted by josie on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 10:33am.
One year ago, the Library conducted focus groups with over 100 persons in our district to discuss the future of the Downtown Library. We learned a great deal about what people love about the Downtown library and what they feel can be improved. This year, the Library has hired Luckenbach|Ziegleman Architects and Skanska to work with us to develop two programs: one for a renovated and expanded Library and the other for a new Downtown Library, both to be located at Fifth and William. At the same time, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority is moving forward with a site plan to build a large underground parking structure on the "library lot". The convergence of these two activities led us to develop a joint survey asking for feedback on both the library and parking.
Please take this opportunity to contribute to the important decisions that will need to be made by the AADL, the City of Ann Arbor, and the DDA.
You do not need to be a library user, or resident of Ann Arbor to fill out the survey. All feedback is appreciated.
In addition, you are invited to attend any of the following Public Meetings to review our work and add your thoughts to the discussion.
Monday, June 2nd 7:00 – 9pm
Wednesday, June 4th 10:00 – noon
Sunday, June 8th 3:00 – 5 pm
Location: Downtown Library - 343 South Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor
Josie
Submitted by josie on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 12:10pm.
The AADL is pleased to announce that the Library Board at a Special Meeting on Tuesday, February 5, selected Luckenbach|Ziegelman Architects, PLLC for the Downtown Library project. This firm was chosen from a field of 15 firms who responded to a Request for Qualifications, 9 of which made public presentations to the Library Board last week.
Carl Luckenbach, FAIA and Robert Ziegelman, FAIA have provided full service architectural, planning, and interior design for 27 years. They have studios in Ann Arbor and Bloomfield Hills. The firm designed Malletts Creek Branch, winner of the Michigan AIA Award for Sustainability in 2005, and the Pittsfield Branch.
Luckenbach|Ziegelman will be joined by the following consultants on the Downtown project:
Douglas Kelbaugh, FAIA Ann Arbor Urban Design
Insite Design Studio, Inc. Ann Arbor Landscape Architecture
Enliven Consulting Ann Arbor Public Engagement
M.E. Engineering Consultants, Inc. Plymouth Mechanical and Electrical
Midwestern Consulting, LLC Ann Arbor Civil Engineering
Acentech, Inc. Cambridge MA Acoustics and A/V
A press release with more complete information is attached.
Josie
Submitted by josie on Thu, 01/24/2008 - 12:13pm.
Nine architectural firms will be making presentations on the Downtown Library project next week. All of the presentations are open to the public and the schedule is attached on this post.
The presentations will be made in the 4th Floor Board Room in the Downtown Library. Board agendas are posted at http://aadl.org/aboutus.
The opportunity to address the Library's need to create an accessible and flexible space Downtown that will adjust to new uses over the next several decades is very exciting. The opportunty to do this in collaboration with the DDA and the City of AA, in terms of the development of the "library lot", is a very positive step toward a progressive urban design plan for the Fifth Avenue/William street area. We appreciate the interest and support we are receiving from the DDA and the Ann Arbor City Council.
Josie
Submitted by josie on Fri, 12/14/2007 - 1:37pm.
Last evening, the AADL Board reviewed responses to the Request for Qualifications for Architectural and Engineering services for the Downtown Library Renovation and Building project. The Board will be inviting 15 architectural firms to make presentations early in 2008. The public is invited to attend the presentations. Dates and times will be announced later this month. The 15 firms invited to present are:
C2AE: Grand Rapids, MI
designLAB architects with Quinn Evans Architects: Boston Ann Arbor
Engberg Anderson, Inc with Mitchell and Mouat Architects: Milwaukee Ann Arbor
Frye Gillan Molinaro Architects: Chicago
Gwathmey Siegal and Associates with David Milling Architects: New York Ann Arbor
HKS Architects, P.C.: Farmington Hills, MI
Holzman Moss Architecture, LLP: New York
inForm Studio: Detroit
Luckenbach|Ziegelman Architects, PLLC: Ann Arbor
Merrit McPherson Cieslak, PC: Farmington, MI
Meyer Scherer and Rockcastle, LTD: Minneapolis, MN
Neuman/Smith Architecture with Hiddell and Associates: Southfield Carrolton, TX
Penchansky Whisler Architecture with A3C Collaborative: Ann Arbor
PSA-Dewberry, Inc.: Naperville, IL
TMP Associates, Inc.: Bloomfield Hills
Earlier this year, the Library received a report on the programing needs for operations and services Downtown for the next 20 years, and also a report on the condition of the Downtown facility. The Board's decision to go forward with a plan to renovate the Downtown library derived from these study results. Over 100 people participated in 12 focus groups, and while their needs and interests varied widely, they overwhelmingly agreed that the Downtown Library should remain at 5th Avenue and William Street. In early November, the City Council passed a resolution authorizing the DDA to conduct a feasibility study that will determine how much underground parking is possible on the lot that is now surface parking next door to the Library. We are pleased that the DDA, the City of AA, and the Library are working toward a common vision for redeveloping the Fifth and William area around the Library, and proud that AADL is taking the lead and moving forward in its selection of an architectural firm.
UPDATE: The Library Board invited all of the responding firms to make presentations, and 14 firms accepted. These presentations are open to the public and all of them will occur at the Downtown Library in the 4th Floor Board room the week of January 28-January 31. The schedule is attached for your convenience.
Josie
Submitted by josie on Tue, 07/24/2007 - 8:54am.
The Library Board received a space needs and facility study from Providence Associates at its July 23, 2007 Board meeting. The study was commissioned in February of this year in an effort to answer questions related to space needs for library services and programming, and to assess the physical and mechanical integrity of the current facility. The study meets a Facilities objective in the library’s current Strategic Plan that was adopted in 2004 and runs through 2010.
I would like to express my gratitude to the 150 or so persons who gave their time to this study by agreeing to participate in one of 12 focus groups conducted in March, and to those who accepted the public invitation to attend a focus group session in April. This honest appraisal of what works and what doesn’t and what needs to exist that is currently not offered by the Library, combined with real data about the facility, is captured in the study document.
This space needs and facility study form the beginning of a process that the Board will use to determine what steps to take in assuring library service in Downtown Ann Arbor. Options for what can be done at our current location are provided in the study, but these are concepts and are not intended to be viewed as plans. The Library Board will take the study information, expand on it, and continue to work to determine the best next step for the community at large.
Please review the attached documents, and then come back and post your own thoughts and questions about the study findings.
Providence Proposal 2007
Providence Report July 23, 2007
Josie
Submitted by josie on Fri, 04/13/2007 - 2:22pm.
The Ann Arbor District Library Board has awarded a contract to Providence Associates, LLC for a space needs and facility study of the Downtown Library located at 343 S. Fifth Avenue. The work began March 1 and has included 11 focus group sessions with the public and staff.
A final focus group session is scheduled for Sunday, April 22, from 2:00-3:30 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room in the Downtown Library. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this event. The opportunity to tell us what works for you and what could be better at our Downtown location is the culminating event of National Library Week. Come celebrate the existence and future of public libraries with us on Sunday, April 22, at 2:00 PM.
This facility study will be completed by June 1, 2007, and is the beginning of what is likely to be a year long process to determine the future size, scope of services, and location of the Downtown Library.
Submitted by JennyH on Tue, 03/13/2007 - 2:28pm.
Hear a podcast and see photos of the March 7 clearing of the ash trees from the construction site of the new branch library at Traverwood Drive and Huron Parkway on The Environment Report of the Great Lakes Radio Consortium on National Public Radio.
On Wed., March 7, Rex and Andy, two beautiful, black draft horses, pulled dead ash logs from the construction site of the new branch. The event was covered by Lester Graham, producer of The Environment Report. The purpose of the horses' work was threefold: they had much less of an impact on the forest floor than machinery; the wood Rex and Andy hauled will be used as building material and support beams in the new branch library; and the visible support beams will serve as a valuable environmental lesson of the devastation of the emerald ash borer. Nice work, boys!
Submitted by TimG on Thu, 03/01/2007 - 4:45pm.
Individuals passing by Traverwood Drive at Huron Parkway next Wednesday will see an unusual sight. A sturdy team of draft horses will be assisting in the tree removal process as site construction for Ann Arbor’s newest branch library continues.
Early next week, some of the dead ash trees remaining on the site will be cut down. Wednesday, March 7 at 9:00 am, (weather permitting) a team of draft horses from the firm of Johnson Hardwood Floors will arrive. At 10 am, the horses will be begin to pull the dead logs from the site.
The process, which should take several hours, is in keeping with the Library’s pledge of sustainable practices. Removing the dead logs in this way limits root damage to the remaining trees on the site. The ash trees will then be milled and used as building material for the new branch.
The construction manager for the new branch library is O‘Neal Construction, Inc. The architects for the building are Van Tine|Guthrie Studio and the landscape architects are Grissim Metz Andriese Associates.
The new library is being constructed on 4.34 acres of vacant land, located on the southwest corner of Traverwood Drive and Huron Parkway in Ann Arbor, and will be a one-story building of approximately 16,500 square feet. It will serve as a community-based learning center that delivers superior customer service, primarily to the residents of the northeast quadrant of Ann Arbor.
Submitted by josie on Thu, 12/21/2006 - 11:51am.
The Ann Arbor District Library is soliciting proposals from interested and qualified consultants for a space needs and facility feasibility study of the Downtown (Central) Library located at 343 S. Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
The AADL Board adopted a strategic plan in 2004 that includes a facilities goal to replace or renovate the Downtown Library. This RFP is the beginning of what is likely to be a year long process to determine the future size, scope of services, and location of the Downtown Library.
The Library anticipates award of this consulting contract within 30 days of the bid deadline of January 22, 2007. The consultant should be prepared to initiate work by March 1, 2007 with an expected completion date of no later than June 1, 2007.
Interested parties should contact Lisa Pollock at pollockl@aadl.org or call 734.327.8311 to receive a copy of the RFP document.
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