The Hybrary: Serving Human Needs

The Hybrary: Serving Human Needs

Linnstaedt, Andrew

Flint Hill, VA, USA

2014

005-LF-P043

Professional

The year is 2050. Large-scale 3D-printing technology has become commonplace in the building industry. Libraries have lost ground in their traditional functions to other institutions and technological phenomena. Museums and remote storage facilities have taken over much of book storage. Virtually all available information can be accessed instantly in a variety of formats through digital media. Digital Storage is done cheaply on remote server farms. This design must focus on the functions that the library is still in a strong position to serve. The Dilworth property has been removed and the site is open to pedestrians on all sides.

Libraries have always served humanity at a very personal level. The amount of cultural bandwidth apportioned solely to libraries is shrinking. Libraries can best serve the public by joining and complementing other institutions. This can be done by maintaining a broad focus beyond information storage and by continuing to hybridize with other public institutions such as museums, colleges, and community centers. The library can also stay relevant to communities by acting as a 'third place', meaning a sanctuary that is neither work nor home. As such, the design presented focuses on the range of functions that library is still in a strong position to serve, organized around the fundamental human needs of community/contact and personal repose/tranquility.

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