Set back from the historic façades of the city’s quaint downtown, Charlottetown’s brutalist Dominion Building has asserted a handsome — yet somewhat isolated and imposing — presence since its construction in the 1950s. Originally built as a government office building, the six-storey complex was converted into residential apartments in the early 2010s. A decade later, it welcomes another new chapter via the addition of an inviting (and eye-catching) new library branch on its ground floor.
Designed by local architects
Clad almost entirely in glass, the sleek new pavilion announces the sociable spaces within. Fronting the street and the outdoor terrace, a casual café and seating area blurs the boundary between the interior and the outdoors.
Past the entrance, the space is organized around a central corridor that allows for easy and intuitive wayfinding through the library’s diverse program.
Characterized by blonde wood finishes, ample natural light and playful circular forms, the complex unfolds in a combination of communal spaces and quieter zones. Alongside a physical collection of books and media, the
The children’s area is a highlight. Elevated slightly above the rest of the library, the dynamic space affords the youngsters a panoramic view of the complex. Additionally, a flexible community gathering space — which hosts regular after-hours events — features movable walls that allow the room to accommodate up to 500 people.
Accented by pops of solid colour — including bright furnishings and wall details — the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre integrates education, community-building and social spaces into an inviting all-day hub. And at the end of the corridor? The new library introduces a second terrace at the back of the Dominion Building, opening out to the greenery of Charlottetown’s Connaught Square Park. It all adds up to a dynamic new space carved out from a brutalist icon.
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