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| network | |||
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structure
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The reading room's main visual focus is a large curved "network" panel. The panel is structurally composed of transverse ribs, triangulated cabling for data transmission; an interior LCD screen for viewing information; and a transparent exterior skin that doubles as the roof. On one end, the roof curves downward to form the main "network" wall which is a vertical surface to which every major programmatic element has unobstructed sight lines. These sight lines dictate the ultimate form of each individual library by strictly governing the spatial relationships between the elements but allowing the exact square footage of each element to be dictated by the local communities. | ||
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foreground/ background
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The "network" will have different purposes depending on how one wants to interact with it. As "foreground", it will be used in an active sense by the library users who are "plugged in." The entire library is "wired" via infrared connections to the main servers and the large "network" panel. This will allow the library user to not only surf the web on his or her laptop, but also post the findings on the large "network" panel. As "background", it will be used in a passive sense by the users who choose to view the panel at their leisure – waiting for a friend at the café; waiting for a "moment of inspiration"; or waiting for a lecture in the auditorium to start. | ||
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A large research "chat
room"
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The option to become active or passive is entirely up to the user, depending on whether he or she wants to actively communicate or passively watch. It will not matter if one is in the café, auditorium, group research space, or in a pod; the interaction with the large "network" will always be an option due to the unobstructed sight lines. Taking cues from the chat rooms of today, the large "network" panel will be a way to start a one-on-one conversation; have large group discussions; or just "eavesdrop". There are two major differences however: 1) the discussions can revolve around audio-visual media like real-time movie clips and 2) as the chat room grows larger, the amount of visual space on the "network" also increases. | ||
| design | network | pod | collaborative research spaces | entry cafe | animation | cover | |||
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