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This monumental building, occupying an entire city block, recalls the great neoclassical libraries of the 19th century. Classical details adorn a brick and granite block. The façade along Plymouth St., however, is made of a modern glass curtain wall. The grandest interior space is the skylit winter garden on the top floor.
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Comments (4)
The exterior is amazing....the interior pedestrian at best. Its too bad they shot their wad on the facade and didn't make it a complete project.
Posted by Tim | February 14, 2007 12:54 PM
Posted on February 14, 2007 12:54
imagine entering a library and having to walk lengthy claustrophobic corridors then ride narrow escalators up 4 stories... before seeing a single book.
Posted by Barbara | February 20, 2007 10:24 AM
Posted on February 20, 2007 10:24
There was quite a competition for the design of this building, and it was a surprising choice given the other modernist designs, but it was somewhat of a tribute to Sullivan and the Chicago School of architecture. The exterior ornaments are way out of scale for the building, and the interior is uninspired. It doesn't hold a candle to the original Chicago Public Library, now the Cultural Center, which is magnificent. They should have added an adjacent building to the original and kept it as the library.
Posted by Scot | March 15, 2007 5:28 PM
Posted on March 15, 2007 17:28
It was a good start, yet again another structure that turns its back on the city. Friendly? Inviting? What kids is going to want to even approach this monster, let alone linger??
Posted by John | March 27, 2007 5:07 PM
Posted on March 27, 2007 17:07