BPL Plaza Post-Renovation
Well, the renovation of the Brooklyn Public Library plaza at Grand Army Plaza that’s taken the better part of two years is complete. When we walked by on Sunday, the final product—heavy on the marble—looked pretty nice, if a tad bit cold, to us. As Gowanus Lounge remarked, the main stairway is now lined with…
Well, the renovation of the Brooklyn Public Library plaza at Grand Army Plaza that’s taken the better part of two years is complete. When we walked by on Sunday, the final product—heavy on the marble—looked pretty nice, if a tad bit cold, to us. As Gowanus Lounge remarked, the main stairway is now lined with yellow chains, an effort, evidently, to keep people from frolicking in the fountains on either end of the steps. Do you think this’ll end up being a place where people actually hang out? Presumably that was the intention.
Checking In On The BPL Plaza Renovation[Brownstoner] GMAP
2:41 – Koolhaas built a crazy library in Seattle. Visually stunning from the exterior and a feat of architectural experimentation and innovative engineering, but totally unusable as a habitable space.
The reading rooms are BLACK. literally.
the building isn’t functional, it’s a sculpture.
I agree, I think the fountains on the stairs was a bad call.
“Albert Speer would be proud…
I like it. Does that make me a bad person?”
Had to laugh. A certain amount of architecture from this period does look like the backdrop for a Leni Riefenstahl production.
On the other hand, some more recent civic design, such as Giuliani’s City Hall Park — with decor straight from Mussolini — doesn’t even have the excuse that it was designed in the 30’s.
How bout best library east of the Mississippi…?
All about compromise…
We saw a jazz band playing there about a month ago. It was great. They had chairs for seating and a stage for the band…
To 12:49, didn’t Koolhaus build some crazy-ass public library in the Pacific NW? But I agree this library is awesome. Shall we say best library in NYC?
I completely agree, Gringcorp.
What lack of thought could possibly prompt a designer to install a feature that will attract people (fountains! yeah! great place to cool off on a hot day!), and only later realize that it will attract people (it’s unsafe! and having people frolick will ruin my aesthetic plans!) and so have to add ugly yellow chains to keep them away?!?
What utter, wasteful insanity.
I’m glad it’s finally done.
The Brooklyn Childrens’ Museum hoever, is another story. It’s the story of a vital community and cultural resource that is the victim of vanity architecture. The bulging yellow blob is an insult to the surrounding historic district. How work like this gets approved is a complete mystery to me.
I like that library, but does anyone else think that it looks like some sort of fascist monument?