Out & About: Portland Community College Sylvania Library

posted by Mike Sauer
 

 We tested several sizes to see which best served wayfinding needs and suited the architecture. 

Here I am doing my best "Vanna"

AK is working with GBD architects on the PCC Sylvania Library remodel, one of many PCC bond projects happening throughout the college district.

The library as an institution has gone through dramatic changes in the last few decades and college libraries are no exception. Incorporating new programs and broader concepts of learning into libraries isn’t new – the 70’s saw a shift from the term “Library” to names like “Campus Learning Center”. However, libraries like Sylvania are now incorporating departments like the Student Success Center, an open study area with tutoring in math and english, and the Student Computing Center, which assists students with tutoring in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems, among others.

In order to help students navigate the multitude of services offered in the remodeled library, AK is developing large flag signs for the main “boulevard” of the building. The flags contain single words in large text that identify services students are looking for, while smaller text below adds a further layer of information, like department names.

 

Out & About: Thank you Cherry!

We celebrated Cherry Britton and her eight years with AK as she strides into a ‘retirement’
full of adventure. We’ll miss her insight, her humor, her delight in learning and her
willingness to take on a new challenge. Next: walking the “Chemin de St. Jacques”
through the south of France this fall. 

Bon Voyage, Cherry!

Out & About: Chemeketa Community College's Yamhill Valley Campus

Building Dedications are perfect days. Owners, architects, designers, contractors and all project
 participants come together with building users to celebrate a job well done. Problems along
the way have been solved, budgets resolved and schedules met. It's a time to say thank you -
to our visionary clients, to our partners in collaboration, to everyone who made it possible.
Yesterday we were at Chemeketa Community College's Yamhill Valley Campus where
the beautiful new classroom building ("Old Main") was officially dedicated. Designed
by Yost Grube Hall Architecture, "Old Main" anchors the new campus in McMinnville, OR

 

Chemeketa Community College's visionary president, Cheryl Roberts (above, with Elizabeth),
 welcomed everyone to the College's second campus, noting that Chemeketa is one of only two
 multi-campus colleges in Oregon. The art in the building showcases regional artists and is content

specific to Chemeketa and Yamhill Valley. The glass sculpture on the right, interprets
the Chemeketa motif, a graphic interpretation of the native American "gathering place"
which is the original meaning of the word "Chemeketa."

Elizabeth Anderson and Mark Stoller, YGH Principal-in-Charge for the project, are all smiles

as they take in the event and admire the results of their firms' collaboration. They are standing in

 front of LeRoy Setzoil's magnificent wall panel in the entry lobby.  

Upstairs, AK interpreted the Chemeketa motif to provide screening on the storefront glass at

 classrooms and gathering spaces. 

As we left the event, the building was illuminated against the darkening sky and the halo lit letters

on "Old Main" identified the campus along Highway 18.

On The Boards: Gladstone Library

New Library

Situated in a wooded setting with a Mt. Hood view, the new Gladstone Library is a stunning, John Yeon-inspired design by THA Architecture. When completed in 2014, it will replace two small, dark and outdated community libraries.

In kicking off our design work for exterior and interior signage in any new library, our first burning question is always "How do they currently identify their collections?" Because collection ID signs are typically the most prominent and numerous in any library, they are not only critical design elements but are also the most important signs for users - visitors and staff alike. They also require frequent message changes as the collection shifts and grows. In order to begin a new design, we must first understand the current approach. Karen and Mike took a field trip last week to find out.

Our research proved invaluable: we learned that the current libraries use Dewey decimal numbers rather than detailed listings to identify collections on the shelf end panels, informing our design and shaping the overall view within the new library. We're now ready to move forward with design!

New Library: stacks and view

What we saw:  collection ID and range finders at existing library

Share the Love: Community Transitional School

Our 3rd Annual Share the Love party...

This year we shared the love with the Community Transitional School (CTS), a local non-profit dedicated to children whose families are homeless or in transition.  Since 1990, CTS has served more than 4,000 children (ages 4-14) in the Portland metro region. CTS provides encouragement, education and support, along with food, clothing, transportation and school supplies.

 

Inspired by our decorations from last year's party (all that wonderful painting from CHAP) we covered our walls with self-portraits and stories by the students of CTS, and scattered colorful letters among the candy dishes.

 

The children and staff at CTS were thrilled with all of the donations collected at the party.

Thanks to everyone who shared the love!

Happy New Year!

Puff in your nostrils, find your spark, then breathe out fire.

This is your year, be big.