Orchard Library by HMC Architects

one small seed — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:28:27 +0000

Officials at Orchard School in San Jose, CA, United States chose to improve their outdated campus library. Improving student access to technology, providing adequate space for a growing book collection and creating a central focus for the school were the organizers primary goals.

The result is a modern building that is attractive for both students and teachers, as well as eco-friendly. The project is currently registered with the United States Green Building Council for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification. LEED is an internationally recognized mark of excellence providing building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. The Orchard school library utilizes a high-performance exterior building envelope, interior day lighting, natural ventilation, photovoltaic panels, upgraded mechanical systems, green-certified interior furnishings and finishes, water-saving plumbing fixtures, and careful siting and orientation to reduce solar heat gain all to achieve a high level of sustainable design.

Dating back to the 1850s, Orchard School is one of the oldest operating schools in Northern California. Its library, located at the heart of the campus, connects the elementary and middle school areas. Because of that ideal central location, a renovation and expansion of the 3,000-SF space made more sense than new construction elsewhere. Using the centralized location to advantage, the design team planned for opposing elementary and middle school entries to the library, thus defining a spatial organization that acknowledges the distinct identity of each group.

With its location tucked between stucco-clad, flat roofed 1990s-era buildings, designers and school officials knew they needed to distinguish the library from its surroundings. The expanded and renovated library responds to this challenge through the use of a metallic composite-panel façade with zinc plate accents and abundant glass, giving the library a striking aesthetic reflective of its position in the heart of Silicon Valley. The angular, sloping windows emphasize the building entries and focus interior vistas obliquely toward view corridors. They taper the building’s scale in response to its smaller users, and effectively block the unattractive view of an adjacent building’s blank rear wall and mechanical equipment, yet maintain a continuous sense of connection with the landscaped plaza outside.

Inside, the dramatic full-height glass brings natural light deep into the expanded 6,000-SF space, a drastic departure from the obstructed views of its predecessor. A natural wood screen, locally crafted from FSC-certified wood, helps to define space and provide boundaries without compromising supervision. With the circulation desk installed in the center of the space, librarians are now able to survey students while greeting anyone coming and going. Dark existing instructional spaces for elementary and middle school classes were relocated to corners filled with natural north light; the renovated existing space, with no access to windows, now houses stacks for the 18,000-volume collection, along with a new technology lab for up to 36 students.

The library has been hugely successful in creating a focal point for this rambling campus, providing new instructional opportunities, and attracting student, staff, and community users; as a bonus, its natural light and spatial quality have made it the most popular spot on campus for after-school faculty meetings and training sessions. The Orchard Library is a testament to the passion and creativity of all those involved in its creation, especially the talented people at HMC Architects.

Clearly an architectural marvel, the Orchard Library sets new precedent for educating grade school children. The library incorporates state-of-the-art technology to teach the future generation life in their modern world. Students benefit from an improved sense of community, access to technology and the profound sense that adults care about their education. Crumbling facilities send the message to students and teachers, even parents, that education is not important. The Orchard Library, in contrast, provides a shining example of a community where adults take early childhood education seriously. These adults–parents, teachers, architects and administrators–have put their money where their mouths are to improve the lives of the next generation.

Source: King , Victoria . “Orchard Library / HMC Architects” 23 Jan 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed 30 Jan 2012. http://www.archdaily.com/201366/orchard-library-hmc-architects/
Photos: David Wakely
http://www.davidwakely.com/

Shnit International ShortfilmFestival 2011

one small seed — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:39:24 +0000

Have we got some Shnit for you. 5-9 October Cape Town will play host to the biggest international shortfilmfestival in existence, with simultaneous screenings taking place in three continents around the globe. Here’s a bit for Shnit for you to think about.

Aside from being the most exciting film festival of the year, we’re giving four lucky readers the opportunity to claim themselves a weekend pass which gets them into all the parties, masterclasses and of course the main screenings. Read on to find out what you need to do to win.

The Shnit International shortfilmfestival has always been more than your average film festival incorporating workshops, public film forums, special programs and of course the international competition. Founded in 2003 as ‘shnit Kurzfilmnächte’ the festival had it’s home in Berne, Switzerland which still functions as the main hub for the international open competition and festival in earnest. Since then it has grown to over six locations around the world including Cologne, San Jose, Vienna, Singapore and of course Cape Town; with over 15 000 in attendance it’s the biggest global film festival of it’s kind.

Now in it’s ninth edition, this year’s Shnit sees 4000 quality entries from over 100 countries all flashing before audiences from three continents, truly a global movement. Returning to Cape Town for it’s second year to build upon the success demonstrated previously, the South African specific features in this international film festival truly give us all something to rally behind. With a ‘Made in South Africa’ competition taking place alongside the out of competition ‘Kaapse Bobotie’ programme, which showcases talented local directors every night of the festival, as well as exciting ‘Realtime’ productions made specifically for Shnit Cape Town audiences, there’s more than enough local flavour to chew on in this multinational event.

This year’s main international competition, dubbed the ‘international Shnit Open’ features 75 global films including entries from South Africa with audience and jury awards totalling more than R340 000. Among other features are the ‘A Real Treat’ screenings which plays like the classics of Shnit’s previous entries with crowd favourites and critically acclaimed great on show. ‘Out of Curiousity’ and ‘For Special Interest’ provide the best in outsider and alternative short films for those with a bit more bite in their taste.

The ‘Realtime’ productions will be three different production collectives all conceptualizing and producing a short film from scratch based on a singular inspiration to set them up. Beyond that the Shnit Shortfilmfestival also provides cinephile playgrounds with it’s ‘Extended’ range of workshops, parties and other features to be host all over Cape Town. Rocking the Daisies will have a 24 hour tent running Shnit shorts, while The Grand Daddy Hotel provides the pulpit for masterclasses and much more. 95 on Hout is the venue for the underground crowd looking for the alternative nature of short films.

The Labia is the host of the festival screenings in earnest and will also provide the finale of the festival including the premiere of the ‘Realtime’ productions to their audiences and of course the announcement of the winners. With parties, art, music, film and much more promised, this year will truly establish Cape Town as the Mother Shnitty and perhaps the most desirable location to participate in the Shnit International shortfilmfestival.

To claim one of four weekend passes, simply name 2 of the 6 locations Shnit is globally taking place. in the comments section below. It’s that simple. Winners to be announced on Tuesday the 4th of October with the winners being invited to the opening night on the 5th at 19:30 to claim their weekend passes.

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Orchard Library by HMC Architects

Shnit International ShortfilmFestival 2011