Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Project Spotlight! Farmville Public Library

To make the vision for this project a reality, the Farmville town council, board of supervisors, architect, and design firm successfully collaborated to create this spectacular new public library for the community. KSA Interiors worked closely with the architect and client to achieve all of the following objectives to their fullest potential and beyond.

The project design objectives were to achieve a creatively designed children’s reading and interaction area, create a sophisticated space for adults to read and relax, have access to a combination of large and small meeting spaces, enhance public access to technology with the addition of computer workstations, and to increase shelving and displays to hold the vast volumes of books, periodicals, and references.


Photo by Al Wekelo
 The Farmville Herald wrote that the unique children’s section would, “feel at home in Disneyland (and) has an Alice In Wonderland-esque "rabbit hole" entrance for kids to crawl through from the main library space, in addition to a more traditional, though highly decorative, doorway.” As children lounge and play in the comfortable space, they are encouraged to gaze up at the ceiling upon which clouds have been dreamily painted. Upon the walls surrounding the area are colorful graphics and abstractly shaped mirrors that entice the eye and inspire the mind.


Photo by Al Wekelo
 The design team also created a refined area for adult patrons to enjoy. On one side of the library there is an electric fireplace around which the entire wall is finished in Buckingham slate from floor to ceiling. Surrounding the warm hearth of the fireplace are lounging sofas and chairs.

On the opposite side of the library lives a panoramic glass-walled lakeside view, with a patio by the lake. In addition to giving patrons a window to the outside world, this glass wall invites natural light into the space, adding warmth and environmentally sound value to the new venue.

For patrons who wish to read, study, or research in peace and quiet, there are small study rooms to accommodate their needs. A large community room, able to seat up to 50 people, is also a main feature of the library. This room has a separate entrance so it may be used after hours, and has a service kitchen that may be used for catered events.


Photo by Al Wekelo
 The library was in need of additional space to hold their eclectic and growing book collection. The renovations have allowed the space to hold 20,000 plus items in the 19,000 square feet of the new library. Also in pursuit of achieving the objective to enhance public access to technology, a computer center with 20 new computers was added to the facility. The goal of this space was to provide an ideal networking environment for high-school and college students from nearby educational institutions.

As the Farmville Herald put it, “The new ‘new public library’ may not end up on Broadway, but it’s expected to top the charts among Virginia libraries.”

Submitted by
KSA Interiors

Project Spotlight! John Tyler Community College

KSA Interiors had the pleasure of working with John Tyler Community College on a achieving their mission to “provide quality educational opportunities that inspire student success and community vitality.” In 2009, the Midlothian, Virginia Campus was in need of an additional facility to assist in supporting this mission

Completed in August 2009, the new 61,000 square foot educational facility provides academic classrooms, teaching laboratories, faculty and staff offices, a learning resource center, student lounge centers for studying and socializing, a campus bookstore (that also sells merchandise and apparel), and the campus library.

KSA's design team communicated consistently with the client to understand their need for a range of spaces that would foster student learning as well as allow the faculty and staff to have a functional working space on their campus. Working closely with JTCC and the architectural firm, sustainable principles were used in order to achieve LEED Silver certification.


Photo by Philip Beaurline
 Upon entering the facility, students can easily access the large Student Lounge that remains open for studying, group meetings, dining, and socializing. The lounge space is equipped with movable tables to seat small or large groups, movable lounge chairs, three flat screen monitors, upon which university news may be streamed and news channels may be viewed, and a central counter area with trash and recycling receptacles. Adjacent to the lounge is the Campus Bookstore which is conveniently located for students to make their textbook and college apparel purchases.


Photo by Philip Beaurline
 As some courses offered in the facility require one-on-one student/teacher interaction, the college requested smaller classroom options to allow for an intimate learning environment. The building also contains a larger multi-purpose room that can be used for symposiums and conference meetings.



Photo by Philip Beaurline
 The teaching laboratories and preparation rooms are equipped for biology, anatomy, chemistry, and natural sciences instruction. These laboratories contain custom storage for each subject, including skeletal model stands, chemistry tube drying boards, and lockable cabinetry on the back wall of each lab classroom for the security of high value microscopes and other scientific models.


Photo by Philip Beaurline
 The new contemporary library was designed to be utilized by students, faculty, and staff throughout the campus. The library includes an abundance of computer stations, surrounding computer labs (for classroom and additional workstation use), a technology help desk, information and circulation desks, collaborative tables and conference rooms for private and group study, and a vast selection of books and periodicals.

The community college has been able to increase the number of students attending their campus due to the addition of classroom, lab, and library space, as well as market to a larger selection of prospective students interested in the courses offered in the facility.

Submitted by
KSA Interiors