Biblioteca Central de Seattle

Seattle Central Library WASHINGTON, USA 1999 2004

La biblioteca representa, probablemente junto con la prisión, el último de los universos morales incontestables. Su impor-
The library represents, maybe with the prison, the last of the uncontested moral universes. The moral goodness of
tancia en este aspecto moral está íntimanente ligada a los valores conceptuales del libro: la biblioteca es su fortaleza, y los
the library is intimately connected to the conceptual values of the book: the library is its fortress, librarians are its
bibliotecarios sus guardianes… El desarrollo y la adopción unánime de nuevos medios de conocimiento dieron la impre-
guardians… As new media emerge and gain currency, the library seems threatened, a fortress ready to be taken
sión de constituir una amenaza para la biblioteca, bastión vulnerable al asalto de un ejército tecnológico. En esta historia,
by a marauding hoard of technologies. In this fairytale, the electronic becomes barbaric. Its intangible, ominous
los medios electrónicos representan la amenaza bárbara. Su carácter intangible, su ubicuidad ominosa y su accesibilidad
ubiquity, its uncontrollable accessibility seems to represent a loss of order, tradition, civilization. In response, the
incontrolable parecen representar una pérdida de orden, tradición y civilización. En respuesta a esta amenaza, el lenguaje
language of the library has become moralistic and defensive. Its rhetoric proclaims a sense of superiority in mis-
de la biblioteca ha llegado a ser moralista y defensivo. Su retórica proclama un sentido de superioridad en cuanto al come-
sion, social responsibility, value…
tido que desempeña, la responsabilidad social que asume y los valores que representa…

En la última década hemos asistido a una rápida erosión del ámbito público, sustituido por formas del dominio privado
The last decade has revealed an accelerated erosion of the Public Domain— replaced by increasingly sophisticated
cada vez más sofisticadas y amenas.
and entertaining forms of the Private.
La esencia de lo público es su carácter gratuito. Cada vez más, el espacio público se ha reemplazado por lugares de natu-
The essence of the Public is that it is free. Increasingly public space has been replaced by accommodations of quasi-
raleza cuasi pública y abiertos en apariencia, pero por cuyo disfrute es preciso pagar. La biblioteca en cambio permanece
public substance that while suggesting an open invite, actually make you pay. The library stands exposed as outdated
hoy como el último reducto, moralista y anticuado, de lo público gratuito.
and moralistic at the moment that it has become the last repository of the free and the public.

Nuestro objetivo es redefinir la biblioteca como institución que no se dedica únicamente al libro, sino que se define como
Our ambition is to redefine the library as an institution no longer exclusively dedicated to the book, but as an infor-
almacén de información, donde todos los medios y herramientas para acceder a ella, tanto los antiguos como los nuevos,
mation store where all potent forms of media —new and old— are presented equally and legibly. In an age where
están presentes y al alcance de todos. En una era en la cual el acceso a la información es universal, lo importante es pro- ?
information can be accessed anywhere, it is the simultaneity of all media and (more importantly) the curatorship of
curar la simultaneidad de los distintos medios y, lo que es más importante, la vitalidad de los contenidos que se ofrecen.
their contents that will make the library vital.

Uniform flexibility

FLEXIBILIDAD
FLEXIBILITY
Que una biblioteca sea hoy flexible equivale a que sea capaz de constituirse en escenario para casi cualquier tipo de acti-
Flexibility in contemporary libraries is conceived as the creation of generic floors on which almost any activity can
vidad. Los programas no están segregados unos de otros, y las salas o espacios específicos no tienen un carácter defi-
happen. Programs are not separated, rooms or individual spaces not given unique characters. In practice, this
Compartmentalized flexibility
nido. Todo eso se materializa en estanterías que definen (aunque no describen) generosas áreas de lectura, aunque el
means that bookcases define generous (though non-descript) reading areas on opening day, but, through the col-
incremento incesante de las colecciones inevitablemente acaba por inducir la invasión del espacio público. En última ins- STABLE

lection’s relentless expansion, inevitably come to encroach on the public space. Ultimately, in this form of flexibil-
tancia, por esta exigencia de flexibilidad la biblioteca minimiza los auténticos atractivos que pueden distinguirla respecto
UNSTABLE
ity, the library strangles the very attractions that differentiate it from other information resources.
a otros centros de información.
OPENING FUTURE

En lugar de la flexibilidad ambigua que la caracteriza, la biblioteca debería optar

Instead of its current ambiguous flexibility, the library could cultivate a more
por una definición más precisa a través de su organización en compartimentos
refined approach by organizing itself into spatial compartments, each ded-
espaciales, cada uno de los cuales destinados a tareas específicas y con los equi-
icated to, and equipped for, specific duties.
pamientos correspondientes. Con todo es posible que cada uno de estos espacios
Tailored flexibility remains possible within each compartment, but without the
tenga una flexibilidad adaptada a sus circunstancias, sin que ninguna de las par-
threat of one section hindering the others.
tes suponga un obstáculo para la otra.

66
 E-BOOK 1999: Rocket eBookTM, a hand-held device for reading web-distributed content E-BOOK

WORLD WIDE WEB WWW

DATABASE 1967: OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) founded DATABASE

8-TRACK 1965: A cartridge that promised to lower the price of recorded tape without sacrificing sound quality 8-TRACK

MICROFORM 1935: Eastman develops the first successful microfilm technology MICROFORM

FILMSTRIPS 1920: Audiovisual education emerges as a discipline to make abstract ideas concrete FILMSTRIPS

RENT-A-PRINT 1945: SPL Art department begins lending large mounted reproductions of printings RENT-A-PRINT

LP RECORD 1948: The LP record arrives on a vinyl disk LP RECORD

PHOTOCOPY 1937: Carlson invents the photocopier, 1959: Xerox manufactures a plain paper copier PHOTOCOPY

AUDIO CASSETTE 1929: Magnetic sound recording on plastic tape AUDIO CASSETTE

CINEMA 1923: 16mm nonflammable film makes its debut, 1977: Projectors available for loan at SPL CINEMA

COMIC BOOK 1904: The first comic book, 1980: A pilot comic book project is conducted at the Seattle Public Library COMIC BOOK

MAGAZINES 1664: Erbauliche Monaths-Unterredugen (Edifying Monthly Disscusions published in Germany), 1900: Popular illustrated weeklies sell for only pennies, 1922: Reader's Digest publishes material digested from a variety of sources MAGAZINES

NEWSPAPERS 1609: First regularly published newspaper appears in Germany 1689: Newspapers are printed, at first as unfolded "broadsides" 1704: A newspaper in Boston prints advertising NEWSPAPERS

BOOKS
For several hundred years, there was only one problem, the storage of - BOOKS - and necessarily only one solution - SHELVES. 1453: Johannes Gutenberg prints the 42- line Bible, 1605: Cervantes publishes "Don Quixote", introduction of modern novel, 1800: Invention of the cylinder printing press, 1804: Lithography developed, 1926: Book- of-the -Month Club founded, 1957: First book to be entirely phototypeset is offset printed

MAPS 1300: Mediterranean navigators prepare accurate charts of that sea, 1400: Editions of Ptolemy's maps printed in Europe, 1570: First modern atlas published, "Orbis Terraum" contains over 70 maps, 1735: Expeditions are mounted to Lapland and Peru to determine the correct shape of the earth, 1966: The satellite "Pageos" launched to engage in geodetic, 1995: Global Positioning Systems commercially available MAPS
BOOKS

PHOTOGRAPHY 1816: NiÈpce makes a true photograph, 1942: Kodacolor process produces the color print PHOTOGRAPHY

YELLOW PAGES 1906: First telephone directory featuring business advertising on yellow pages issued YELLOW PAGES

DOCUMENTARY 1922: "Nanook of the North" is the first documentary DOCUMENTARY

PAPERBACK 1935: The Penguin paperback sells for the price of 10 cigarettes PAPERBACK

VIDEO 1970: VHS home video programs provided for public use at the Seattle Public Library VIDEO

MICROCHIP 1971: Intel builds the microprocessor, "a computer on a chip" MICROCHIP

FLOPPY DISC 1970: The computer floppy disk personalizes magentic data storage FLOPPY DISK

COMPACT DISK 1979: From Holland comes the videodisc read by laser COMPACT DISK

CD ROM 1985: CD ROM can hold the equivalent of 270,000 pages of text CD ROM

1150 1200 1250 1300 1350 1400 1450 1500 1550 1600 1650 1700 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000

NUEVAS IGUALDADES
NEW EQUALITIES
Los libros deben compartir la atención con otros medios de poderosa presencia y atractivo. Existe un paralelismo entre la multiplicidad y la increíble complejidad del programa de la Nueva Biblioteca y la
Books have to share attention with other media of potent perfomance and attraction. A parallel exists between the vast proliferation and incredible intricacy of program in the New Library, and
igualmente explosiva multiplicación de los medios informativos y las convenciones sociales que ésta debe acomodar en su interior.
the equally explosive multiplication of information media and social obligations that has to be accomodated within it.

WORKSTATIONS 1982: An Apple II microcomputer made avaible at Seattle Public Library WORKSTATIONS

VOTER REGISTRATION 1982 :Voter registration availble at the Central branch of SPL VOTER REGISTRATION

VIDEO 1981: Media and Program Services department begins coordinating the programming for public access VIDEO

DISCUSSION GROUPS 1979: A series of Sharespeare discussion programs sponcered at SPL DISCUSSION GROUPS

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY 1977: The Friend of the Seattle Public Library made $10,000 availble for the purchase of media equipment FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

REMOTE ACCESS 1976: The Quick Information Center opens 1977: Dial-a-story program begins, 1998: WWW.SPL.org goes on-line REMOTE ACCESS

BIBLIOTHERAPY 1971: The application of reading to the problems of emotional instibility, loneliness, and alienation BIBLIOTHERAPY

ART EXHIBITS 1960: Major pieces commisioned for SPL, "Fountain of Knowledge" & "Pursuit of Knowledge", 1981: A Cable Arts festival featuring video works by local artists was held ART EXHIBITS

READERS ADVISORY 1920: The reader's adviser was usually located in a quiet corner or a separate office, in contrast with the location of the reference desk which was full line of traffic, reader would come in with a topic and a course of reading was sugested READERS ADVISORY

YOUNG ADULTS SERVICES 1920: Library service to this age group evoved inoto a supplement to the school curriculum and a provider of recreational reading, as television emerges the library has tried to redefine of service to young people. YOUNG ADULTS SERVICES

INFORMATION DESK 1920: The seperate Reference desk first appears at the Rhode Island Public Library. This increases the general component of service and well as recognizes the librrian as aguide and intrepreter.
INFORMATION DESK

LIBRARY WAR SERVICE PROGRAM 1917: Provides libraries for masses of men in the military. Most Army training camps set up libraries for draftees. Community libraries expand roles in communities by helping the Food Administration during war. LIBRARY WAR SERVICE PROGRAM

CHILDREN'S COLLECTION 1895: Most public libraries did not serve children, restricting access to those over twelve,1900: Childrens Rooms begin to be added to Libraries, 1920: Childrens collection gain emense popularity, which continues today CHILDREN'S COLLECTION

NO COST 1897: The Seattle Public Library Librarian's report states "we flatter ourselves that the library will hereafter be maintained forever free", 1941: Free library service given to all soldiers and sailors in the Puget Sound area,1970: Seattle Pulic Library's first fine free day, 8,976 overdue books returned, 1973: The 10 cent charge for reserves removed NO COST

PUBLIC LIBRARY
1854 The Boston Public Library opens as the first public library in a major American city, 1900: Aproximately 2,000 Public Libraries in US, 1918: Approximately 6,000 Public Libraries in the US, 1939: The American Library Association sets forth the "Library Bill of Rights", 1970: National Commission on Libraries and Information Science charcged with the mission finding "an effective and efficient library system"

EXPANDED CONCEPTION OF SERVICE 1900-1917: "Library Militant" era: General attitude that community libraries should fill a broad range roles to help solve social problems, etc. Art exhibits, education of juvenile offenders, story-telling on an elaborate scale EXPANDED CONCEPTION OF SERVICE
PUBLIC LIBRARY

"MODERN LIBRARY IDEA" 1910: The public library envisioned as "an active force, a community center striving to bring book and reader together and apppeal to the entire comunity with a thousand and one activities that distingusih the modern library form its more passive predecessor" "MODERN LIBRARY IDEA"

SPECIALIZATION 1907: Fine Arts division opens at SPL, 1912: Technology department opens, 1960: The Reference department became thre History, Goverment and Biography department. The General Reading department became Literature, Languahgesm, Philosophy and Religion SPECIALIZATION

AMERICANIZATION 1911: First mention of the Foreign collection at the Seattle Public Library,1916: A special assistant was put in charge of work with "foreigners", 1920: Foreign division established in the Circulation Department, 1978: Veitnamese and Arbic materials added to the collection, AMERICANIZATION

INCREASED COMMUNITY PROMINENCE 1920: Thanks in large part to masses of men becoming accustomed to having broad access to books during the war INCREASED COMMUNITY PROMINENCE

ADULT EDUCATION 1932: Early appearance at the fringe of reference service, then a distinct program with its own location and staff in the library, eventually absorption widely in the library and community work ADULT EDUCATION

GREAT BOOKS PROGRAM 1954: American Library Association gtrant given to Seattle Public Library in order to experiment with the use of TV in the discussion ofnew books resulting in "The Challenge of Books" GREAT BOOKS PROGRAM

HANDICAPPED SERVICES 1967: The Books for the Blind program was extended to any handicapped person certified as unable to read conventional material HANDICAPPED SERVICES

TRAINING THE DISADVANTAGED 1970: Young Adult department begins training for disadvantaged TRAINING THE DISADVANTAGED

INFORMATION AND REFERRAL CENTERS 1970:Information and welfare INFORMATION AND REFERRAL CENTERS

1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

FUNCIÓN SOCIAL
SOCIAL ROLE
La Biblioteca como espacio para la lectura se ha transformado en un centro social con múltiples responsabilidades. Hoy en día, las bibliotecas acogen una proliferación de condiciones accesorias que pro-
The Library has been transformed from a space to read into a social center with multiple responsibilities. Each library today houses a profiferation of adjunct conditions that creates a concep-
ducen un desequilibrio conceptual: debido a que su formato nunca ha sido ajustado para responder a su nueva función social, la Biblioteca es como un organismo huésped invadido de parásitos.
tual imbalance: since its format has never been fundamentally adjusted to accommodate its new social role, the Library is like a host organism overwhelmed by its parasites.

70
 426,979 sf 426,979 sf 426,979 sf 426,979 sf 426,979 sf
administration
15 administration hq
14 operations operations
attraction
13 collection services reading
attraction
12 government & law 137,351 sf 118,202 sf
32% 28%
books
11 main collection books

10 main collection
19,149 sf

19,149 sf attraction
mixing
9 main collection
non-print
chamber
electronics
support assembly
8 main collection
attraction
7 tech learning
living room
6 young adults 219,628 sf 219,628 sf
5 children's center 52% 56% public service
store
4 general information reading
& periodicals

study & research

3 readers' forum attraction
2 entrance collective kids
arrival operations
1 public forum

70,000 sf 70,000 sf parking parking

16% 16%

0 parking

facility program rpg calculations oma/lmn calculations program reshuffle savings from precise oma/lmn organization
PLATAFORMAS (by use type) measurement of 2025 (savings used for aura)
main collection
PLATFORMS Diagrama del programa / Seattle program diagram

La primera decisión fue 'rastrear' y consolidar la aparententemente incontrolable proliferación de programas y medios. Al combinar los que eran semejantes, se identifi-
Our first operation was to 'comb' and consolidate the library’s apparently ungovernable proliferation of programs and media. By combining like with like, we iden-
caron agrupaciones prográmaticas: cinco de carácter estable y cuatro de índole inestable.
tified programmatic clusters— five of stability, and four of instability.
Cada plataforma es una agrupación programática arquitectónicamente definida y perfectamente equipada para un cometido. Como cada una de estas plataformas se ha
Each platform is a programmatic cluster that is architecturally defined and equipped for maximum, dedicated performance. Because each platform is designed
diseñado con un único propósito, son distintas en tamaño, flexibilidad, organización de las circulaciones, color, estructura, circulación y MEP.
for a unique purpose, their size, flexibility, circulation, palette, structure, and MEP vary.
Los espacios entre las plataformas funcionan como plantas de operaciones en las cuales los bibliotecarios informan al usuario y lo estimulan, y donde se organiza el inter-
The spaces in between the platforms function as trading floors where librarians inform and stimulate, where the interface between the different platforms is organ-
cambio entre las distintas plataformas; son espacios de trabajo, interacción y acontecimiento.
ized— spaces for work, interaction, and play.
Plataformas / Platforms

Modificando genéticamente la superposición de plantas típica de los edificios americanos en altura surge un edificio que es al tiempo sensible (su geometría procura som-
By genetically modifying the superposition of floors in the typical American high rise, a building emerges that is at the same time sensitive (the geometry pro-
bra o luz en cantidades notables donde es preciso), contextual (cada fachada está concebida en función de unas condiciones urbanas concretas, y de las vistas) e icónico.
vides shade or unusual quantities of daylight where desirable), contextual (each side reacts differently to specific urban conditions or desired views), iconic.
El problema en la organización tradicional de las bibliotecas es su monotonía plana. Los distintos departamentos se organizan en función de las plantas. Cada una es inde-
The problem of traditional library organization is flatness. Departments are organized according to floor plans. Each floor is discreet; the unpredictable fits of
pendiente; la impredecible adecuación al crecimiento o la contracción de ciertas secciones se prevé, teóricamente, en una única planta.
growth and contraction in certain sections are, theoretically, contained within a single floor.

), (

ROOF TERRACE
HEADQUARTERS
GALLERY
VIEW QUIET CITY LIBRARIAN
WORKSTATIONS
DIRECTORVISION
CREATIVEATTRACTION
RESEARCH PERIODICALS
BOOKS HOTELING INFORMATION COMFORT
STUDY
READING ROOM READING
VIEW
NARRATIVE NAPPING RESEARCH

MULTILINGUAL BOOKS
BOOKS ARTSRELIGION
PERFORMING ARTSTECHNOLOGY
GENEALOGY

PHILOSOPHY LANGUAGES MATHEMATICS

ATTRACTION

MUSIC HISTORY LAW BOOKS BUSINESS

BIOGRAPHY ENVIRONMENT NATURAL SCIENCE
ROVING LIBRARIANS
RESEARCH EXPERTISE
ATTRACTION
TRADING FLOOR MIXING CHAMBER
GLOBAL NETWORK INFORMATION CONNECTIVITY BOOKS

ASSEMBLY TECH LEARNING CHECK-OUT

ELECTRONICS PRESS CONFERENCE
REMOTE LEARNING AUDITORIUM PERFORMANCE COPY CENTER
REFERENCE READING CAFE
TEENS CHECK-IN LOBBY HOTELING
GENERAL INFO
RESERVE
DOCENTS LIVING ROOM ATTRACTION
WELCOMING

BRANCH BROWSING
STORE DOWNTOWN
COLLECTION SERVICES L.E.A.P. RECEIVING
FICTION VIDEO MAGAZINES
GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS NEWSPAPERS MULTIMEDIA
ATTRACTION

OUTDOOR PLAY TEACHING STORY TELLING

LISTENING
ART ROOM
KIDS MUSIC SECURITY
BREAK COMPUTER LEARNING BOOKS
GRAPHICS
PARKING ACCESS FUN STORY HOUR
RECYCLING
OPERATIONS WORK
PUPPETS
WORK SHOP PRINT SHOP
PARKINGCARCARTRUCKCARCARCAR
CARCAR4X4CARCARCARCARVANCAR

Sección programática / Word section

72
 I-5

Views Context
M I-5
FRO
VIEW

PARK
INIER
MT RA
?
ROOF TERRACE
THE SEATTLE ROOM
RECREATION THE SEATTLE ROOM
CHECK-INDISPLAYS
PICNIC
READING
READINGS
CHECK-INDISPLAYS
LIVING
HISTORY
ARTS ROOM
MEETING
LIVING ROOM
DROP-OFF
GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
PERFORMING
FRIENDS
CLASS ROOMSARTS
SUNNING DROP-OFF
EXPLORATION
LANGUAGES
COPY
LISTENING
DOCENTS
CENTER
MISTING
STATIONS
PLAY
HOTELINGSTAFF
COPY CENTER
MEETING
BOOKS ROOMS LUNCH BREAK BOOKS HOTELING
En 1920, la Biblioteca Pública de Seattle
BIOGRAPHY
COMPUTER
BOOKS HELP PHILOSOPHY
READING LOBBY
SKATEBOARDING
INTERNET READING LOBBY
WC SECURITY
ART
REFERENCE
TEENS SECURITY ECU
TECHNOLOGY
TRADING FLOOR VIEW
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY STORE FRIENDS OF THE
HE LIBRARY
LIBRA STORE
BUSINESS
VIDEOLOCAL RELIGION
CONFERENCINGEXHIBITIONS
EVENTS LOCAL EVENTS
MULTILINGUAL BOOKS RESERVE
INTERACTION
COFFEE
ENVIROMENT SHOPPERFORMANCE COFFEE SHOP RESERVE
LOUNGING
STAFF INFORMATION
MUSIC
AV I AT I O N
INFORMATION
In 1920, the Seattle Public Library LITERATURE
DIGITAL MICROSOFT
MATHEMATICS
REMOTE LEARNING
LITERACY
INTER-LIBRARY
MIXING CHAMBER
LOAN

no tenía nada clasificado como ciencia

had no classification for Computer PLAZA
T BAY

de los ordenadores o informática; hacia

T

Science— by 1990 the section had MADISON FINANCIAL

ELLIO

U-BUS
1990, el fondo correspondiente a esta
HI
LL
exploded. As collections unpre- CL
IM
B
AS
sección se había disparado. Como SI
ST

dictably swell, materials are disso-

Seattle Public Library Proposal – December 1999

había crecido impredeciblemente, se

ciated from their categories. Excess
disoció de su clasificación correspon-
materials are put in the basement,
diente. El excedente se almacenó en el
moved to off-site storage, or
sótano, se llevó a otro lugar u ocupó
become squatters of another, totally
un sitio que no le correspondía, en un
unrelated department.
departamento totalmente ajeno.

HEADQUARTERS
MT RAINIER CITY LIBRARIAN
CREATIVE DIRECTORVISION
RESEARCH PERIODICALS

Alzado desplegado / Unfolded elevation MULTILINGUAL BOOKS

BOOKS ARTSRELIGION
PERFORMING ARTSTECHNOLOGY
GENEALOGY

PHILOSOPHY LANGUAGES MATHEMATICS

MUSIC HISTORY LAW BOOKS BUSINESS
ELLIOTT BAY
BIOGRAPHY ENVIRONMENT NATURAL SCIENCE

ASSEMBLY TECH LEARNING

ELECTRONICS PRESS CONFERENCE
REMOTE LEARNING AUDITORIUM PERFORMANCE SHADOW
BRANCH BROWSING
STORE DOWNTOWN
SUN COLLECTION SERVICES L.E.A.P. RECEIVING
FICTION VIDEO MAGAZINES
GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS NEWSPAPERS MULTIMEDIA
SECURITY
BREAK GRAPHICS
PARKING ACCESS RECYCLING
OPERATIONS WORK WORK SHOP PRINT SHOP
PARKINGCARCARTRUCKCARCARCAR
CARCAR4X4CARCARCARCARVANCAR

76
 Sección transversal / Cross section

Planta personal (nivel 2) / Staff plan (level 2)

Planta aparcamiento (nivel 0) / Parking level plan (level 0) Planta 1. Acceso desde la 4ª Avenida / Floor level 1. 4th Avenue entrance

82
 Sección longitudinal / Longitudinal section

Planta 3. Acceso desde la Quinta Avenida / Floor level 3. Fifth Avenue entrance

84
86 87
92 93
Detalle en planta de escaleras y axonometría / Staircase details and axonometric view

↑ Planta de conferencias y reuniones. Nivel 4 / Meeting level (4) plan

← Sección parcial por planta 4 / Partial section through level 4

94 95
CÁMARA DE MEZCLAS
MIXING CHAMBER
La Cámara de Mezclas es un área de máxima relación bibliotecaria, una plataforma de información organizada para satisfacer una necesidad esencial (y hasta ahora no
The Mixing Chamber is an area of maximum librarian-patron interaction, a trading floor for information orchestrated to fulfill an essential (now neglected) need
tenida en cuenta) de orientación interdisciplinar experta. La Cámara de Mezclas refuerza la inteligencia humana y tecnológica de la biblioteca: el usuario está rodeado de
for expert interdisciplinary help. The Mixing Chamber consolidates the library’s cumulative human and technological intelligence: the visitor is surrounded by
fuentes de información.
information sources.

STAFF DISTRIBUTION SCENARIOS RESEARCH ASSISTANCE SCENARIOS

= LIBRARIAN = LIBRARIAN ????
= PATRON

??? ?
TRADITIONAL BOOKS PLATFORM
TRADITIONAL 2 min
2 min BOOKS PLATFORM
2 min ?? 2 min

2 min
in
2m
n
2 mi
????
!
2 min

100% LIBRARIANS DISTRIBUTED IN BOOKS PLATFORM SEARCH TIME ELAPSED: 16 MINUTES

? ?? ?
5 min ! ?
50% LIBRARIANS IN MIXING CHAMBER MIXING CHAMBER

OMA BOOKS PLATFORM

OMA BOOKS PLATFORM

2 min
!

50% LIBRARIANS IN BOOKS PLATFORM SEARCH TIME ELAPSED: 7 MINUTES

STAFF DISTRIBUTION SCENARIOS

TRADITIONAL

LIBRARIAN
KNOWLEDGE

100% LIBRARIANS + PUBLIC SERVICE STAFF DISTRIBUTED IN BOOKS PLATFORM

LOCALIZED LIBRARIANS AND STAFF GENERATE

INCREASED KNOWLEDGE AND STRONGER SUPPORT
CENTER THROUGH SHARING INFORMATION.

OMA

15% LIBRARIANS + 100% PUBLIC SERVICE STAFF LOCALIZED IN MIXING CHAMBER

PROPOSED ORGANIZATION STAFF MEMBER

CONVENTIONAL ORGANIZATION STAFF MEMBER MIXING CHAMBER + BOOKS T TECHNOLOGY DEVICE (X5)
R STUDY + READING (X2)
MAIN COLLECTION (IN 4 PARTS) T TECHNOLOGY DEVICE (X5)
COMPACT SHELVING
R STUDY + READING (X2)
COMPACT SHELVING

MAIN COLLECTION (8,9,10,11) MIXING CHAMBER

PUBLIC SERVICE MAIN COLLECTION (8,9,10,11) PUBLIC SERVICE 8,9,10,11

8 T T T T T T T T T T R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
R R R T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
STAFF

T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T STAFF 8,9,10,11
T T T T T T T T T T PUBLIC SERVICE
T T T T T T T T T T
R R R R R R R R R R R R R 9 T T T T T T T T T T R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
STAFF

PUBLIC SERVICE

10 T T T T T T T T T R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
BOOKS
PUBLIC SERVICE 8,9,10,11
STAFF
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T

PUBLIC SERVICE

11 T T T T T T T T T T T R R R R R R R R R R

STAFF STAFF 8,9,10,11

En la Biblioteca Pública de Seattle, la intersección entre identidad y legibilidad tiene lugar, en primer lugar, en el ámbito virtual. Para mucha gente, el primer punto de contacto con la identidad de la Biblioteca
For the Seattle Public Library (SPL), the intersection of identity and legibility occurs in the realm of the virtual first. For many, the first point of contact with the identity of the SPL will be the
será su portal de Internet, un lugar idóneo para mostrar los alicientes y los beneficios que ofrece la nueva biblioteca, así como su estructura y sus efectivos. El ámbito virtual funciona también como campo
Internet site. It offers a unique opportunity to declare the pleasures and benefits of the new library, as well as its structure and strengths. The virtual functions also as a training ground— intro-
de entrenamiento, mostrando el modelo de la plataforma, la estructura jerárquica, las características y los formatos de la nueva biblioteca. La navegación facilita la orientación de los visitantes en el edificio
ducing the platform model, the hierarchy, features and formats of the new library, facilitating navigation (and reducing demand on staff) for visitor orientation in the real building. The site will also
real, y por tanto reduce las necesidades de personal. El portal también será utilizado para crear comunidades virtuales que se irán 'incorporando' de manera regular en el edificio real. El espacio real y el vir-
be used to create virtual communities that will regularly 'embody' themselves in the real building. Real and virtual space are conceived in parallel, as part of the same architecture. The commu-
tual se conciben en paralelo, como parte de la misma arquitectura. Las estrategias de comunicación que facilitan la movilidad y la claridad en el espacio de la biblioteca se reflejan fielmente en la plataforma
nication strategies that provide access and clarity in the space of the library are mirrored in the virtual platform.
virtual.
The Mixing Chamber is a trading floor for information 'hovering' in the Living Room. Located literally at the center of the Library's physical and virtual collections, the Mixing Chamber is both

96
 REFERENCE STRATEGY
SCENARIO 2:
GENERAL INFORMATION REFERENCE

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DONDE ESTAN THERE. NO, NO,
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e K

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i GENERAL INFO

M MIXING CHAMBER

B MAIN COLLECTION REFERENCE

K DEPARTMENT REFERENCE

L ROVING LIBRARIANS

REFERENCE STRATEGY
SCENARIO 3:
SPECIFIC STUDY REFERENCE

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SHOULD REFER TO
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M MIXING CHAMBER

B MAIN COLLECTION REFERENCE

K DEPARTMENT REFERENCE

L ROVING LIBRARIANS

REFERENCE STRATEGY
SCENARIO 2:
GENERAL INFORMATION REFERENCE
(LIBRARY EVENT)

Planta 5. Cámara de Mezclas / Mixing Chamber level (5) plan G

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i GENERAL INFO

M MIXING CHAMBER

B MAIN COLLECTION REFERENCE

K DEPARTMENT REFERENCE

L ROVING LIBRARIANS

REFERENCE STRATEGY
SCENARIO 1:
BASIC ORIENTATION REFERENCE

L
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WHICH
M WAY TO THE
LATEST TOM
WOLFE BOOK?

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IF YOU
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WOLFF... WOLFE!

e ENTRANCE INFO

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M MIXING CHAMBER

B MAIN COLLECTION REFERENCE

K DEPARTMENT REFERENCE

L ROVING LIBRARIANS

99
 ESPIRAL DE LIBROS
BOOK SPIRAL

2ND BOOK PROXIMITY: BOOK ACCESS DISTANCE BOOK ACCESS PROXIMITY

FLAT PLATFORM: SPIRAL PLATFORM

500'
75% 2ND BOOK WITHIN 2X + 1 ELEVATOR 250'
FEET TRAVELED 250'
500'
2250

2000
FLAT PLATFORM
25% 2ND BOOK WITHIN 1X e
1750
SPIRAL PLATFORM 2500 BOOKCASES ARE ACCESSIBLE WITHIN 500' OF TRAVEL
1500

1250
e
1000

SPIRAL:
750 FLAT PLATFORM
e
500

29% 2ND BOOK WITHIN 2X (ALT. + 1 ELEVATOR) 250

500'
700 1400 2100 2800 3500 4200 4900 250'
BOOKS REACHED
35.5% 2ND BOOK WITHIN 1.5X

71% LESS THAN 2X

DISTANCE TO / FROM FARTHEST BOOK ON A FLAT FLOOR ONE REVOLUTION OF THE SPIRAL
35.5% 2ND BOOK WITHIN 1X IN THE SPIRAL ONE REVOLUTION LEADS DIRECTLY TO A NEW ROUND OF BOOKS 1400 BOOKCASES ARE ACCESSIBLE WITHIN 500' OF TRAVEL
IN THE FLAT PLATFORM EACH FLOOR IS SEPARATED BY AN ELEVATOR TRIP e

e = 100' OF TRAVEL TO / FROM ELEVATOR + 2.5 MIN. OF CALL 'N RIDE TIME
TO REACH THE SAME NUMBER OF BOOKCASES REACHED IN 500' OF TRAVEL IN THE SPIRAL,
YOU WOULD HAVE TO TRAVEL 1000' AND TAKE MORE THAN ONE ELEVATOR.

X = 1 FLOOR = 1 REVOLUTION OF THE SPIRAL

La Espiral de Libros implica una reivindicación del Sistema Decimal Dewey (CDD), concebido para la clasificación del conocimiento en las bibliotecas. Disponiendo la
The Book Spiral implies a reclamation of the much-compromised Dewey Decimal System. By arranging the collection in a continuous ribbon —running from '000'
colección como una cinta continua —que va desde el '000' hasta el '999' —, las materias coexisten de modo semejante a lo orgánico; cada una se desarrolla en relación
to '999'— the subjects form a coexistence that approaches the organic; each evolves relative to the others, occupying more or less space on the ribbon, but
con las otras, ocupando más o menos espacio de la cinta, pero nunca forzando su ruptura. En Seattle, la espiral de 6.233 estanterías acoge 780.000 libros desde la aper-
never forcing a rupture. For Seattle, the Spiral’s 6,233 bookcases are guaranteed to house 780,000 books upon opening, with flexibility to grow to 1,450,000
tura de la biblioteca, con la posibilidad de crecer hasta albergar 1.450.000 volúmenes sin necesidad de aumentar el número de estanterías.
books in the future (without adding another bookcase).
La biblioteca tradicional se presenta ante el usuario con una matriz interna de materias, tecnologías y 'especialidades'. Es un proceso a menudo decepcionante, un rastro
The traditional library presents the visitor with an internal matrix of materials, technologies, 'specialists'. It is an often demoralizing process— a trail of tears
de lágrimas a través de secciones muertas, departamentos fantasma y ausencias inexplicables. La Espiral de Libros exime a los bibliotecarios de la carga de manipular
through dead-end sections, ghost departments, and unexplained absences. The Book Spiral liberates the librarians from the burden of managing ever-increas-
cantidades de material en constante incremento. Ya liberados, forman un círculo de experiencia concentrada.
ing masses of material. Newly freed, they reunite in a circle of concentrated expertise.

100 101
 Planta 7. Espiral de Libros / Books Spiral plan (level 7) Planta 8. Espiral de Libros / Books Spiral plan (level 8) Planta 9. Espiral de Libros / Books Spiral plan (level 9)

Planta 6. Espiral de Libros / Books Spiral plan (level 6)

103

Espiral de Libros. Secciones / Books Spiral sections

FLAT BOOKS LAYOUT: SPIRAL BOOKS LAYOUT:

900-999
REF

900-999
REF
LEVEL 9 900-999 STAFF 700-899
REF
LEVEL 9
700-899
REF
900-999 STAFF 500-699
REF

e 500-699
REF
000-499
REF

000-499 e
LEVEL 8 700-899 STAFF REF PERIODICALS
GOV. PUBS.
LEVEL 8
PERIODICALS
GOV. PUBS. READING ROOM
700-899 STAFF

e e OPTIONAL ELEVATOR
READING ROOM

ELEVATOR RIDE
e

LEVEL 7 500-699 STAFF e

LEVEL 7

e 500-699 STAFF

000-499 STAFF
LEVEL 6
PERIODICALS
e

LEVEL 6

000-499 STAFF
PERIODICALS

BOOK ACCESS TIME ORIENTATION TIME

FLAT /SPIRAL CIRCULATION TIME

ADDITIONAL DISTANCE TO/FROM ELEVATOR

ELEVATOR CALL AND TRAVEL TIME

25% 50% 75% 100% OF BOOKS ACCESSED

SPIRAL

25% 50% 75% 100% OF BOOKS ACCESSED

FLAT

5 MIN. 10 MIN. 15 MIN. 20 MIN. 25 MIN. 30 MIN. TIME SPENT ACCESSING BOOKS

RULED SURFACE 1:60 TRANSITION

FROM SLOPE TO FLAT [EXAGGERATED]
A TRANSITION IS FORMED USING A RULED SURFACE THAT GRADUALLY
LESSENS THE SLOPE UNTIL IT BECOMES COMPLETELY FLAT.

1:30
SLOPED CROSS-AISLE
@ 1 :30 SLOP
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EACH FLOOR IS OVER 90% FLAT SLOPES

URBAN PRECEDENTS

FLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT FLAT 30

FLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT

FLAT
FLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT

FLAT
PUBLIC SERVICE

FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT

FLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
SLOPES
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT ACCESSIBILITY CATEGORIES
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT FLATFLAT
FLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT

FLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
FLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLATFLAT
30

104
 Espiral de estanterías / Books diagrams
La Cámara de Mezclas es un patio de operaciones dedicado a la información que 'flota' en la Sala. Situada literalmente en el mismo centro de las colecciones físicas y virtuales de la Bibliotecta, la Cámara de
the Library's nexus for efficient, in-depth and interdisciplinary information exchange, and the gateway to the Main Collections (above) and the Technology Learning and Meeting spaces
Mezclas funciona al mismo tiempo como nexo que facilita un intercambio de información eficiente, exhaustivo e interdisciplinar, y como portal de acceso a las Colecciones Permanentes (arriba) y a los espa-
(below). While Subject Specialists continue to provide expert guidance within each collection, the Mixing Chamber fulfills a currently unanswered need: expert, interdisciplinary assistance.
cios de encuentro y de instrucción tecnológica (abajo). Aunque cada colección dispone de sus propios expertos en el tema, la Cámara de Mezclas da respuesta a una necesidad que hasta ahora no había sido
Combining the services of General Information and the Subject Specialities, the Mixing Chamber generates an increased knowledge base and a stronger support center for patrons through
cubierta: la de la asistencia interdisciplinar especializada. Combinando los servicios de Información General y de Especialidad por Temas, la Cámara de Mezclas genera una base de conocimiento adicional y
the synergy of its staff. To enhance its effectiveness, the Mixing Chamber includes a critical mass of technology devices, reading/study areas and work spaces within which patrons and librar-
se convierte en un centro de soporte para los usuarios gracias a la sinergia de su personal. Para aumentar su efectividad, la Cámara de Mezclas dispone de un importante equipamiento tecnológico, zonas de
ians mingle and interact.
lectura/estudio y puestos de trabajo donde los usuarios y los bibliotecarios pueden mezclarse y relacionarse.
BOOKS PLATFORM
PLATAFORMA DE LIBROS
In the beginning, books were rare, handwritten commodities. Libraries could present their (limited) collections in totally. Accesibility and legibility of the collections were guaranteed by virtue of
Al principio, los libros eran artículos raros y estaban escritos a mano. Las bibliotecas podían exhibir sus (limitadas) colecciones en su totalidad. La accesibilidad y la legibilidad de las colecciones estaban
the proximity of all materials.
garantizadas por la cercanía de los materiales.
As collections grew, classification systems were necessary evils impossed to locate materials. All classification systems that organize materials physically are inherently flawed; no system can
A medida que las colecciones fueron creciendo, los sistemas de clasificación se convirtieron en un mal necesario, impuesto por las necesidades de localización. Todos los sistemas de clasificación que orga-
allow every item to be located within all possible associations, unless the library can duplicate the item in as many locations as necessary.
nizan los materiales de forma física son intrínsecamente defectuosos; no hay sistema que permita que cada elemento sea ubicado en todas las asociaciones posibles, a menos que la biblioteca pueda dupli-

carlo en todas las ubicaciones en las que sea necesario.

Eventually collections grew past what architecture could accommodate in a single space (in modernity, on a single floor plate). Collections were therefore separated into categories —e.g.
Con el tiempo, las colecciones crecieron hasta sobrepasar las dimensiones de lo que la arquitectura era capaz de acomodar en un único espacio (en la época moderna, en una única planta). Como resultado,
Humanities, or Science & Technology— and placed on distinct floors. Architecture's limitations were therefore imposed onto the organization of the collection.

Diagrama de la Espiral de Libros / Book Spiral diagram

las colecciones fueron separadas en categorías —como, por ejemplo, Humanidades o Ciencia y Tecnología— y dipuestas en plantas diferentes. Las limitaciones de la Arquitectura se impusieron, por tanto, a

la organización de la colección.
In all libraries —old and new— this imposition ultimately leads to the degradation of their collections' legibility: eventually, as floor plates become over-crowded, materials are dissociated from
En todas las bibliotecas —antiguas y nuevas— esta imposición a la larga conduce a una degradación en la legibilidad de sus colecciones: con el tiempo, a medida que las plantas se van sobrecargando, los
their categories (moved to another unconnected floor, put into the basement, or moved to off-site storage).
materiales van disociándose de sus categorías (trasladándose a otra planta desconectada de la anterior, almacenándose en el sótano o moviéndose a otro edificio).
In short, buildings exacerbate the problem of locating materials by eventually destroying any classification system's logic. Ironically, what are seemingly inert —a building's flat form— actually

106 107
 Planta 10. Salas de Lectura / Reading Rooms plan (level 10)

108
110
112 113
Planta 11. Oficinas / Headquarters plan (level 11)

114 115
Detalles de la envolvente de fachada
Facade mullion details