Continuing with the tour of the Burton Barr Central Library, a center atrium of the building called The Crystal Canyon is open the full 5 floors and topped with nine skylights that track the sun and focusing it's light into the center where it moves throughout the interior during the day. Glass enclosed elevators transport readers to the various floors. In the forefront of this photo you can see a collection of Paolo Solari wind bells displayed against the Crystal Canyon glass wall in one of the reading rooms. Paulo Solari is an Italian born architect who came to the United States in 1947 where he spent a fellowship with Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West here in Arizona. He settled in Scottsdale in 1956. His famous Cosanti Bells have been sold all over the world.
In the small picture you see a photo of the crystal canyon and the elevators that travel to the 5 floors. Each glass elevator has a different color theater light giving the feeling of sudden streaks of lightning as the elevators race up and down.
Tomorrow I'll show another inside view of the library.
I recall a newspaper article about the library shortly after it opened that discussed the cost of the building. The rather industrial decor and materials enabled the building to be a fraction of the cost per square foot that more traditional library buildings in other cities cost.
ReplyDeleteWith all of the cases of large cost over-runs in government construction projects, it is commendable that a building was economical to build, popular to use, and has stood the test of time for its architectural appeal.
Wind bells? In a library? My old high school librarian would have had to be sedated. (SHe was a big stickler for absolutely NO noise in the libary.)
ReplyDeleteThis building is remarkable. I've never seen a library like this before. I must say, if I were doing research there I think I might be distracted by that atrium!
Thanks for the wonderful comment on my blog today. I'm really enjoying your library photos. They are all so different!
ReplyDeleteI think libraries should have architecture that makes us go "wow!"
ReplyDeleteWe are back home in New Orleans dealing with the horrors and joys of living in a city with little electricity. Joys? Yes, the air conditioners are not humming and the sounds of birds chirping are every where.
This really is an amazing space. You could easily spend all day here.
ReplyDeleteI like these little bells at the entrance!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Juneau, Alaska!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Juneau Daily Photo.
The Burton Barr Central Library looks like an incredible place to visit. Thanks for sharing its amazing architecture with us.:)
What an interesting site you have here! And beautiful photographs.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment on Aurora. Our library here fits into one small room and functions part-time only. I'm a sucker for libraries.
I used to get "Arizona Highways", courtesy of a friend from there,and of course love the desert architecture of FLW - Have visited Arizona but not Phoenix - so shall visit your site regularly.
This is quite the library! I am reminded of our Crystal Court downtown MPLS. I enjoy these lines and the subtle colors of the glass panels.
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