Futher Research: Pine Bluff Main Library

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The Pine Bluff Main Library is located in Arkansas and was designed by Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects in 2020. The decision to build the library was due to the decrease in population and reputation of the city of Pine Bluff. The city leaders and citizens wanted to revive the area so they built a main library where buildings had burnt or collapsed to symbolize the rebirth of Pine Bluff (ArchDaily, 2022)

A new Main Library for a Delta city focused on renewal positions itself as a beacon of hope through bold geometric forms and a clear expression of use that puts knowledge clearly on display.

Pine Bluff Main Library, Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects, 2020

Residents wanted a space that would serve as "the living room of the community" with a strong emphasis on children and the youth to encourage a love for learning (ArchDaily, 2022). Based on that, the new library became a place not just for books, but also a community hub offering a performance space, recording studios, teaching kitchen, a teen loft and a cafe. The library is a striking example of modern architectural design. The exterior has a sophisticated look with its blend of glass and metal, the vast use of glass for the facade allows natural light to flood into the interior spaces creating a welcoming environment for visitors and provides a stunning view of the surrounding areas helping to create a connection between the library and the community. The interior has an open floor layout which maximizes functionality making it easier to navigate and transition through the different functional areas of the library. Implementing this promotes exploration leading the visitors to spend more time in the library by browsing through the shelves or stumbling upon a community activity. Including various seating areas along the way and also stairs that double function as seating also helps. 

The steps connect to the children's area and up unto the teen loft. These spaces overlook the downtown area thereby symbolizing the importance of young people to the city (ArchDaily, 2022). The design of the children's area is more vibrant and colourful with interactive play areas while the teen area is a more relaxed space with technological resources. Another feature of the library is the events space. It is designed to host various community events with flexibility in mind. It includes movable furniture and partitions to accommodate a range of activities from small workshops to larger gatherings allowing the space to be adapted to suit different needs (architectmagazine, 2022). The building is also fully accessible with elevators and ramps making sure all visitors, including people with disabilities, can easily use the space, the open floor plan further enhanced the accessibility aspect aswell.

The architecture of Pine Bluff Main Library is a very thoughtful design and will influence my interior design when creating the section. Every aspect of the building is made to serve the needs of the community. By reinvesting in it through education and making it a valuable resource of the area, the library stands as a beacon of knowledge and community spirit.



References

ArchDaily. (2022). Pine Bluff Main Library / Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects. [online] Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/989062/pine-bluff-main-library-polk-stanley-wilcox-architects.

architectmagazine (2022). Pine Bluff Main Library. [online] architectmagazine. Available at: https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/pine-bluff-main-library [Accessed 31 Aug. 2024].

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