The document describes the design of the new Surrey City Centre Library in Surrey, British Columbia. Key aspects of the design include large interconnected spaces with natural light, intimate spaces for reading and studying scattered throughout, and a central winding atrium with skylights. The design was meant to provide flexible spaces for reading, studying, community gatherings, and to intrigue users as they explore the building.

1. SURREY LIBRARY

2. INTRODUCTION
• With advances in easily available electronic
information, the role of libraries is changing and
providing appropriate spaces for evolving library
activities is now the priority.
• These activities range from the traditional research and
education roles, to the need for libraries to become a
point of connection and even a gathering place in the
community.
• As a result, Bing Thom Architects’ design for the new
Surrey City Centre Library includes a diverse mixture of
large interconnected “high” spaces with generous
natural light.

3. • More intimate spaces to accommodate the book stacks
and individual activities like studying and writing.
• These spaces are scattered and modulated throughout
the complex, revealing themselves as the patrons
explore the building.
• As Thom says, “The design evolves out of the need to
provide a space for reading, studying, and above all,
gathering as a community. This building is very flexible
and will accommodate all of these purposes, but does
so in a way that will intrigue and entice the users
through the building.”

4. LOCATION
• Country Canada
• Type Public
• Established 2011
• Location Surrey, British Columbia
• Branch of Surrey Libraries Collection
• Size 100,000 items Other information
• Director Melanie Houlden, Chief Librarian[1]
• Website Surrey City Centre Library Blog

5. PLAN OF BASEMENT

6. SPACES IN BASEMENT
• FUTURE PARKING LOT
• VALVE ROOM
• RECYCLE ROOM
• TRANSFORMER ROOM
• COMMUNICATION ROOM
SPACES ON GROUND FLOOR
• MAIN ENTRANCE
• BOOK DROP
• IMFORMATION DESK
• LOBBY
• OUTREACH
• CHILDREN’S AREA
• MULTIPURPOSE ROOM

7. GROUND FLOOR PLAN

8. • WORLD ROOM
• GENERAL WORKROOM
• STAFF LOUNGE
• LITERACY CENTRE
SPACES ON SECOND FLOOR

9. SPACES ON THIRD FLOOR
• LIVING ROOM
• STUDY CARRELS
• MULTIPURPOSE ROOM
• OFFICES
• GENERAL WORKSPACE
• ADULT NON FICTION
• TEEN ROOM

10. SPACES ON FOURTH FLOOR
• CLASSROOM
• SILIENT STUDY
• MULTIPURPOSE AREA
• STUDY AREA

11. SPACES ON ROOF PLAN
• ARTIUM ROOF
• UPPER ROOF
• LOWER ROOF
• ROOF TOP MECHANICAL

12. SECTIONS

13. MODEL OF GROUND FLOOR

14. MODEL OF FIRST FLOOR

15. MODEL OF SECOND FLOOR

16. MODEL OF THIRD FLOOR

17. MODEL OF ROOF PLAN

18. SIDE ELEVATION

19. DESIGN
• Its design features large windows, a welcoming entrance with clear
sight lines that allow visitors to quickly orient themselves in the
space, and an upward winding central atrium and two skylights that
allow natural light into the building. The form of the building is
inspired by the curvature of the adjacent University Drive, with an
added dynamism provided by outward-sloping walls.
• While seemingly complex, by utilizing state of the art computer
modeling software, the architects were able to ensure that the
concrete formwork was highly efficient and easy to construct. The
exterior concrete structure is carefully detailed as the final surface,
thereby eliminating the need for expensive building cladding.
Designed to LEED standards, the outward sloped walls also provide
solar shading.

20. SIDE ELEVATION

21. EAST FACE FACADE
• One of the most dramatic spaces is the “living
room,” a casual reading area adjacent to
massive windows overlooking a future public
plaza to the east, a double height space that is
not apparent until you reach the third floor.33

22. SIDE ELEVATION

23. INTERIOR OF LIBRARY