Potrero Hill Library
Potrero Hill Library, 2016. Digital design, dimensions variable.
The Potrero library project consisted of the design of a library in San Francisco. The class exercise started with the exploration of the Double Negative concept, which consisted of having at least two voids intercepting in a solid volume to create the Double Negative spaces. As I moved forward through the design of this library, I was interested in the concept of Design for Health and Design for Engagement, which later had major impacts on the project. To promote walking long distances in the library, the circulation consisted of voids going through the diagonal of the library, the longest length possible on the site. These diagonal voids sheltered the principal stair around which all the bookshelves are arranged. Having diagonal circulations also allowed the creation of triangular program spaces that have a unique effect on the users’ experiences. The bookshelves were designed to serve as a key element in this library. In addition to their primary function as bookshelves, they served as structural elements to support the building and, finally, they also served to control the amount of lighting that enters the different spaces. In conclusion, through these concepts I was able to design a library that solved recent issues while preventing future problems.