Donald J. McKay, from  Nagle Hartray Danker Kagan and McKay,
does presentation of new library designs.

There was a meeting on December 13 at the Oak Park
Public Library to discuss and present some  preliminary plans for
the design of the new library approved by vote earlier this year.  The
meeting was small and informal, mostly due to heavy snows and the
8:00 p.m. announcement of Vice-President Gore's concession speech
to Governor George Bush.  There were two initial plans presented to
the audience.  It mentioned numerous times though that these were
merely two ideas that would be discussed at length with members of
the community and others.  One of the other groups that will view
and comment on these plans are the members of the Oak Park Architectural
League.

The Architects, Nagle Hartray Danker Kagan McKay presented
their many drawings and renderings for the attendees to view and
make comment on.  There were drawings (all included here for
your viewing, merely click on the small image and a larger version
will appear for your inspection-use your back button to return to this
page) There is drawing to show how the birds eye view would appear
if the Village of Oak Park allows a portion of Grove Avenue to be 
closed to traffic.  Closing the street would also make the entire region
more user friendly to the happenings at Scoville Park.  If the street were
closed to traffic fewer police would be required to protect patrons of the
events held in Scoville Park each year.

Donald J. McKay, from  Nagle Hartray Danker Kagan and McKay,
presented the slide show and fielded questions from the residents.
Mr. Ed Walbridge, a resident from the building to the north of the
library commented that he thought that the second proposal for the
building was "very beautiful." One concerned brought up was
involving the location of the new building the existing dwelling to
the north.  It is going to be closer than the current distance. 
Janet Kelenson, President of the Library Board answered the
concern by politely explaining that there would be more green
space after the building than before.  It was further explained
that although  the distance between the library and the existing
building would be less, it would still be greater in distance than the distance
from the northern building and the apartment building to its' north.

In both of the initial design proposals copper is set to be used on the
side of the building that faces Scoville Park.  In time the copper will
appear with a greenish tint to it and complement to setting of the Park.

In both of the designs the windows and their respective design are
to illustrate a form that corresponds to the appearance of books on shelves
in the library.  There is also plenty of glass on the eastern wall to allow
for ample viewing of the natural beauty of the park.  The roof has been
proposed to be made of a system that will have grass (sedum variety) on
the top of it.  The grass on the roof will lengthen the life of the materials
used on the roof, and thereby reduce waste going into landfills.  It is estimated
that some 15% of waste in Illinois landfills is from removed roofing materials.
The grass roof system will also reduce the amount of rain water entering
the sewer system and insulate the building in winter and reflect light in the
summer.  The grass roof is not only environmentally sound but attractive
to view from some of the local buildings that will have a look at the roof.
We inquired on several fronts about the grass and the potential for fire during
the time of draught.  Similar grass roof systems in comparable climates all
have supplemental watering systems that assist in natures balance.  The choice
of plants also lend themselves to doing well with less water.  Since the
structure is being built with the option of later adding an additional floor.
the weight of the grass system is of no concern.

We will keep you informed of additional meetings on the design of the
new library building.  This is a very intriguing start with a lot of creative
endeavor being used by this Architectural firm.  We hope to see you
at the next meeting and welcome your comments to the editor.

Letters to the editor...click here.

Site Plan..Click on image for full sized view.

Shadow Studies of light cast on nearby structures..
click here to view full sized.

Preliminary Massing study (how big everything appears
in neighborhood relationships)..click here for full view.

Preliminary Elevation Study 1 (first design view)
Click here for full view.

Preliminary Elevation Study 2 (second design view)
Click here for full view.
 
 

Below is the summary of events to be covered by the designers
 Nagle Hartray Danker Kagan McKay 

Oak Park Public Library
Preliminary Design Presentation
December 2000

The architect and their landscape architect, Carol YH Yetkin Landscape Architects,
present this preliminary design.  This is a starting point in the design process.  It represents
about 15 to 20 percent of the Schematic Design phase, which in turn represents about 
15 percent of the total project including construction.  In other words, it is very early. 
There will be several public design meetings in the future as the design is developed. 

The primary purpose of this preliminary design is to address items relevant to the 
Village’s consideration of the partial closure of Grove Avenue and the issuance of 
a special use permit.  Drawings focus on the relationship between a new library and
its neighbors, especially Scoville Park.  Design of floor plans and building interiors,
as well as development of site and exterior building design, will be addressed in future
design presentations after the Village has decided on the closure of Grove Avenue. 
The following descriptions briefly describe the attached design documents.

Design Goals: The “Motherhood” goal is italicized.  This presentation addresses
bolded design goals.

Context: The library site is a transitional location within the Village.  It is about midway
between the two primary commercial districts.  It is adjacent to three other institutional
buildings – the Post Office, Unity Temple and First United Church.  These buildings differ
stylistically, but each is rendered in monolithic materials that give each a monumentality 
appropriate to their institutional functions.  By contrast, the east side of the library site 
fronts the Jens Jensen designed Scoville Park, which has an informal and organic character.

Scoville Park: Scoville Park has been appropriately described as Oak Park’s living room.
A sense of enclosure that varies seasonally defines this outdoor room.  When there are no
leaves on the trees, the buildings surrounding the park define a sense of enclosure.  Landscaping 
defines a sense of enclosure for Scoville Park when leaves are on the trees.  Two photos
taken in the summer from the park towards the library illustrate that an existing tree line
largely conceals the library.  New construction will not alter this tree line.

Site Constraints: Grove Avenue terminates in a cul-de-sac that provides fire access along 
the north edge of the library property.  The Library will dedicate a 20-foot wide alley for 
this purpose.  A three-lane wide ramp from Lake Street provides access to the below grade
parking garage.  The east edge of the ramp can be no further than 19 feet west of the centerline
of Grove Avenue Stacking to allow for left-hand turns from Lake Street southbound onto
Kenilworth Avenue and northbound into the library garage.  This presents a challenge in
locating the building entry.  Finally, there is the physical relationship between the proposed
library, its neighbors and Scoville Park.

Preliminary Site Plan: The east façade tapers to bring the library about in alignment with its
neighbors to the north.  This will reduce the impact of the new library on existing views from 
the condominium building immediately north.  The stepping presents a more informal massing 
consistent with the character of Scoville Park.  A covered arcade effectively sets the building
back from the centerline of Grove Avenue about 12 feet.  Paving in the arcade is a continuation
of a plaza between the library and Scoville Park.  The plaza will provide daily public access to
the library and serve the Park District for special events.  The east edge of the plaza is curved
to reflect the organic arrangement of existing paths in the park.  The design of the plaza 
remains to be worked out with the Park District.

Shadow Studies: This drawing illustrates shadows of the existing and proposed library at
2:00 p.m. on the equinoxes - March 21 and September 21 - within the context of Scoville Park. 

Preliminary Elevation Study 1: This drawing addresses the primary building facades along
Lake Street and Scoville Park.  The Lake Street elevation is formal, reflecting the character 
of nearby institutional buildings.  It is rendered in monolithically colored masonry/stone and
window openings are formally arranged.  By contrast, the Scoville Park elevation is informal, 
reflecting the organic park design.  The park elevation is rendered in copper panels that will 
patina over time.  Windows in this façade are large to afford good views from the library into
the park and visa versa.  Windows are organized horizontally, similar to books on a shelf,
but are not aligned vertically to reinforce the informal character.  The beginning of an 
ornamental program based on the image of an open book is seen in these preliminary elevations. 
Windowpanes of equal size are paired each side of a narrower pane representing a bookbinding. 
Masonry is detailed with similar patterning.  An ornamental program will help to relate 
building elements as the design develops.

Preliminary Elevation Study 2: The transition between the Lake Street and Scoville Park 
is refined in this study.  The southeast corner in Study 1 appears monumental.  In Study 2, 
the copper from the park façade wraps the corner onto a portion of the Lake Street façade.

Copper is a highly recyclable material and helps to meet sustainability goals.  (Sustainability is
briefly described as minimizing impact on the natural environment through careful selection 
of building materials and by minimizing energy.)  Along those lines, we propose to use a grass
roof.  We will further address sustainability as design progresses.  Sustainability addresses 
the relationship between the proposed library and Scoville Park at a more global level.

Preliminary Massing Study: This drawing illustrates the many of the ideas described above. 
Generally, it indicates the relationship between the library and its neighbors, especially Scoville Park.