The Giesel library
The UC San Diego Libraries
9500 Gilman Drive 0175-X
La Jolla, CA 92093-0175
For my final library, I chose the Geisel library (not because it is named after a major benefactor, Theodor Seuss Geisel, the creator of Dr Seuss) but because the architecture struck me as tree-like and organic, reminiscent of the growth of knowledge. It is an inverted triangle, which draws one's eyes to the door, inviting one to enter. The main library on the University of California campus in San Diego, it is of the "brutalist" school of architecture, in which concrete is often a prime material. I also discovered that is was used in the mind-bending film "inception" which I am yet to see.
It was originally designed by the noted futurist designer William Pereiraby in 1970, some additions were made to the building by the award winning architect Gunner Birkerts in 1992.
Situated at the centre of the campus near a canyon, there is a two-story, block like concrete structure, topped by a six story, stepped tower of reinforced concrete and glass. As can be seen in the photo, glazed windows cover the building, and apparently there is a great view from the top level! It certainly wouldn't be hard to find the library on this campus!
It is made from reinforced concrete and glass. Overall finish is rough form board exposed concrete in a horizontal pattern with anodized aluminum window walls containing 38,000 square feet of plate glass. The building contains 17,000 cubic yards of concrete and is 53644.8 m2 metres in area.
Just east of the library is a snake-like path which leads to the entrance. Perhaps the biblical connotation of the snake in the garden of eden, leading to the tree of knowledge was intended, by I havn't found any written confirmation of this. Nevertheless, it certainly draws you towards the library!
When one gets to the entrance, there is a permanent installation to inspire, by internationally renowned conceptual artist John Baldessari, who has been an influential teacher at this university for over 30 years. He is noted for his innovative photographic techniques in using the latest techniques to create a collage, juxtaposing photographs, words, and colors, which all loop back on each other to spark new associations and thoughts. A fantastic way to inspire the creative thought process as one enters the library.
This is a very interesting interview with John Baldessari discussing his work
John Baldessari source :Youtube
References:
Shoenly, J 2000, The Geisel Library : Concrete Expressionism, Jetsetmodern, viewed 12 June 2012, <http://jetsetmodern.com/geisel.htm>.
Davies D 2008, Geisel Library named among 25 most modern libraries in world, University of California, viewed 12 June 2012, <http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/article/18246>.
Wong K 2012, 'Odd Architecture of UCSD’s', Geisel Library Lends Itself to Popular Culture', A construction and architecture blog by Kelsey Wong, 'viewed 12 June 2012, <http://constructinglajolla.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/odd-architecture-of-ucsds-geisel-library-lends-itself-to-popular-culture-20-2/>.
Geisel Library 2012, Wikipedia, viewed 12 June 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geisel_Library>.
Brutalist architecture 2012, Wikipedia, viewed 12 June, 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brutalist_architecture>.
About the Geisel library building 2012, UC San Diego, viewed 12 June 2012, <http://libraries.ucsd.edu/about/geisel-building.html>.
UCtelevision 2008, 'READ/WRITE/THINK/DREAM : An installation by John Baldessari 2008, viewed 12 June 2012, <http://stuartcollection.ucsd.edu/artists/baldessari.shtml>.
William Pereira 2012, Wikipedia, viewed 12 June 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Pereira>.
Geisel-Library.jpg 2012, Wikipedia, viewed 12 June 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Geisel-Library.jpg>.
Read-Write-Think-Dream Interior, UCSD.JPG 2012, Wikipedia, viewed 12 June 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Read-Write-Think-Dream_Interior,_UCSD.JPG>.
READ/WRITE/THINK/DREAM; An Installation by John Baldessari, 2012, Viewed 12 June 2012, < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIIEnwoymNY>.
The UC San Diego Libraries
9500 Gilman Drive 0175-X
La Jolla, CA 92093-0175
For my final library, I chose the Geisel library (not because it is named after a major benefactor, Theodor Seuss Geisel, the creator of Dr Seuss) but because the architecture struck me as tree-like and organic, reminiscent of the growth of knowledge. It is an inverted triangle, which draws one's eyes to the door, inviting one to enter. The main library on the University of California campus in San Diego, it is of the "brutalist" school of architecture, in which concrete is often a prime material. I also discovered that is was used in the mind-bending film "inception" which I am yet to see.
It was originally designed by the noted futurist designer William Pereiraby in 1970, some additions were made to the building by the award winning architect Gunner Birkerts in 1992.
Situated at the centre of the campus near a canyon, there is a two-story, block like concrete structure, topped by a six story, stepped tower of reinforced concrete and glass. As can be seen in the photo, glazed windows cover the building, and apparently there is a great view from the top level! It certainly wouldn't be hard to find the library on this campus!
It is made from reinforced concrete and glass. Overall finish is rough form board exposed concrete in a horizontal pattern with anodized aluminum window walls containing 38,000 square feet of plate glass. The building contains 17,000 cubic yards of concrete and is 53644.8 m2 metres in area.
 |
| Source: Wikipedia |
Just east of the library is a snake-like path which leads to the entrance. Perhaps the biblical connotation of the snake in the garden of eden, leading to the tree of knowledge was intended, by I havn't found any written confirmation of this. Nevertheless, it certainly draws you towards the library!
 |
| Source: Wikimedia Commons |
When one gets to the entrance, there is a permanent installation to inspire, by internationally renowned conceptual artist John Baldessari, who has been an influential teacher at this university for over 30 years. He is noted for his innovative photographic techniques in using the latest techniques to create a collage, juxtaposing photographs, words, and colors, which all loop back on each other to spark new associations and thoughts. A fantastic way to inspire the creative thought process as one enters the library.
 |
| Source: Wikimedia |
This is a very interesting interview with John Baldessari discussing his work
References:
Shoenly, J 2000, The Geisel Library : Concrete Expressionism, Jetsetmodern, viewed 12 June 2012, <http://jetsetmodern.com/geisel.htm>.
Davies D 2008, Geisel Library named among 25 most modern libraries in world, University of California, viewed 12 June 2012, <http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/article/18246>.
Wong K 2012, 'Odd Architecture of UCSD’s', Geisel Library Lends Itself to Popular Culture', A construction and architecture blog by Kelsey Wong, 'viewed 12 June 2012, <http://constructinglajolla.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/odd-architecture-of-ucsds-geisel-library-lends-itself-to-popular-culture-20-2/>.
Geisel Library 2012, Wikipedia, viewed 12 June 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geisel_Library>.
Brutalist architecture 2012, Wikipedia, viewed 12 June, 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brutalist_architecture>.
About the Geisel library building 2012, UC San Diego, viewed 12 June 2012, <http://libraries.ucsd.edu/about/geisel-building.html>.
UCtelevision 2008, 'READ/WRITE/THINK/DREAM : An installation by John Baldessari 2008, viewed 12 June 2012, <http://stuartcollection.ucsd.edu/artists/baldessari.shtml>.
William Pereira 2012, Wikipedia, viewed 12 June 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Pereira>.
Geisel-Library.jpg 2012, Wikipedia, viewed 12 June 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Geisel-Library.jpg>.
Read-Write-Think-Dream Interior, UCSD.JPG 2012, Wikipedia, viewed 12 June 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Read-Write-Think-Dream_Interior,_UCSD.JPG>.
READ/WRITE/THINK/DREAM; An Installation by John Baldessari, 2012, Viewed 12 June 2012, < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIIEnwoymNY>.
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