Calgary project drawing global attention
Calgary’s new Central Library has been named one of the world’s 12 most eagerly awaited buildings of the year.
Architectural Digest chose the library, which is on target to open Nov. 1 in the East Village, as its only Canadian project alongside other, under-construction buildings in the U.S., Zambia, Scotland, Taiwan, China and Qatar.
The top-12 designation thrilled Calgary Library Foundation CEO Ellen Humphrey.
“It makes us feel wonderful. Certainly, we were aware when the firms of Snøhetta and Calgary’s DIALOG joined together and won the commission that we were going to get a unique, beautiful building, and now the whole world knows that is exactly what we are getting.
“It is terrific recognition of their creativity as well as the role that the library plays in Calgary,” Humphrey said.
In announcing the Central Library was among the most eagerly awaited buildings of 2018, the magazine wrote: “Fundamentally, Calgary’s new library is about connecting residents to public spaces. Located at the intersection between Downtown Calgary and the East Village, the Snøhetta-designed structure lifts to become a gateway from one exciting neighborhood to the next.
“The building also hovers over the existing Light Rail Transit Line, which cuts through the heart of the city. The geometrically designed exterior will draw residents into the activities occurring inside the library, while those upper levels allow for a more quiet, traditional library experience.”
Humphrey added that being a public building makes such global interest more rewarding.
“This is a public building so it is open to every Calgarian of every age. A public building, recognized in this way, adds something a little special. Everyone has an opportunity to go inside and admire it and use the building to do what it is intended to do, that is to enrich the lives of Calgarians,” added Humphrey.
Although construction of the new library is fully funded at $245 million, the foundation’s Add In campaign is raising additional money to enhance collections, programs and services across the whole citywide system by pushing that total up to $350 million. So far, the combined sum raised sits at $320 million.
One of the most successful ongoing fundraisers is the sale of windows in the building. So far, close to 1,000 people and groups have paid varying amounts to have their names and messages inscribed on glass.
“We were inspired by the bricks in Olympic Plaza. We thought this would be a good way of acknowledging ownership by Calgarians through providing them with an extra way of getting engaged,” Humphrey said.
There are three levels of support for anyone wishing to purchase a window — $100, $2,018 and $5,000. More details are available online at www.addin.ca.