Vintage

April 28, 2008 Library Museum Open House

 “Meet the Architect”

The Seward Community Library Museum Steering Committee has been working with the Foraker Predevelopment Fund since last October.  Their mission is to create a library museum facility that can be built and sustained by the community well into the future.  Foraker funded a feasibility study of the first design concept and found that Seward would have a difficult time building and maintaining such a large facility.  Paul Voelckers, Juneau architect contracted by Foraker, met with the group in October 2007 to compare other Alaskan libraries and museums with what Seward has now.  The group came up with a list of needed spaces and an estimated amount of space for each need.  The combined total of square footage from that exercise was 16,300 square feet.  Voelckers returned in early April with three concepts, Elev A, Floorplan A, Elev B, Floorplan B, Elev C, Floorplan C, based on the list and square footage.  The committee chose elements of the three designs that they liked and rejected others.  Voelckers combined those elements into one concept.  The library floorplan, museum floorplan, exterior elevations,  and site location were presented on April 28 to the community for discussion.

Approximately thirty people listened to Voelckers describe his design, asked questions and talked among themselves about the project while enjoying delicious deserts provided by the Seward Community Library Board.   

There were few negative comments, written or voiced, about the concept.  Some were concerned that the design was too modern for Seward while others were delighted with the look.  Voelckers’s design takes full advantage of the building site and the view of the bay to the east and south.  The energy efficiency of so many windows was also questioned.  Voelckers answered that windows now can be made to reduce the damaging rays while letting in the good light.  The panes are multi-layered making them more energy efficient than their early counterparts.  Some of the windows could be insulated and look like windows on the outside but are solid walls on the inside, especially good for the ground floor museum.  Voelckers and committee members stressed their desire to seek LEED, a green, healthy building standard, in design and construction of the facility.

Community members are encouraged to visit the library, look over the concept and tell us what you think.  Committee members will be visiting local groups with information about the project during May in preparation for a telephone survey.  The survey will be conducted by consultants contracted by Foraker to assess the level of support for the new concept.  The committee has prepared a frequently asked questions page.  Please call Keith Campbell at 224-3561 or Patty Linville at 224-4008 with questions, comments and concerns.  The Steering Committee meets every second Thursday at noon in the City Hall Conference room.  Please join us!