The vision behind the Vellore Village library

Dailycommercialnews.com
Aug. 23, 2016
By Patricia Williams

Construction is expected to get underway this fall on the new Vellore Village South Library in the city of Vaughan, Ont. Designed by Toronto's ZAS Architects Inc., the 7,730-square-foot facility will be attached to the existing community centre at 1 Villa Royale in Woodbridge, near Weston Road.

The project, being constructed for Vaughan Public Libraries, is currently out for tender.

In designing the new library, careful attention was paid to maintaining the modern style of the existing community centre, ZAS said in a design brief.

Yet, the architectural esthetic of the addition has evolved to become more dynamic through the use of curvilinear form and cantilevered features.

ZAS said this is "particularly distinguishable" in the library's main reading areas, where the curved form of curtainwall glazing extends along the east facade and reappears along the west facade.

"This area is capped by an undulating roof form with billowing underbelly, and a trio of oculus roof windows above the reading balcony," ZAS states.

The new library's exterior materials and colour palette will remain consistent with the original building.

"The primary building materials were selected to match the existing community centre, that being a combination of brick, metal panel and curtainwall," ZAS senior principal Paul Stevens said in an email.

"However, they are used in a more curvilinear way."

Stevens, the ZAS partner in charge of the project, said the design of the one-and-a-half storey neighbourhood library "will have a tremendous visual impact from Weston Road, and in doing so also strengthen the image of the entire complex.

"By stretching the glass facade and undulating roof in a linear direction, we've also been able to create a panoramic view from a cantilevered terrace that can serve as an outdoor reading area or social space. We see this as an opportunity to animate the existing skatepark/recreational ice skating pad and add a unique feature to this branch."

During the design process, Vaughan Public Libraries held focus groups to solicit feedback from the community.

The library will be constructed in accordance with the city's sustainable building design principles.

Green features include: a high performance building envelope and white roof to reduce heat gain and heat loss; high efficiency mechanical systems; use of predominately local materials to reduce the building's carbon footprint; construction waste diversion; and a natural ventilation strategy and daylight harvesting to reduce the HVAC and lighting energy load.

Stevens said general contractors were prequalified to bid on the project.

Tenders were expected to close Aug. 17. Construction costs are estimated in the $3 million range.

"Construction will commence shortly after Vaughan City Council approves a tender award (at a meeting) in October," he said.

Asked whether the project is expected to pose any particular challenges from a construction perspective, Stevens noted the building is situated on a sloping linear site overlooking the existing skatepark/ice skating pad.

"Adding to the complexity, it is also adjacent to a busy, fully functioning main entrance, tightly fitting between existing buried infrastructure," he said.

Completion is targeted for fall of next year.

Consultants include LEA Consulting Ltd. (structural) MCW Consultants Ltd. (mechanical-electrical); and Counterpoint Engineering Inc. (civil).