Comments on: First Floor Interior: Johnson Building Improvement Project http://www.bpl.org/compass/2013/07/20/first-floor-interior-johnson-building-improvement-project/ The BPL Compass Fri, 27 Sep 2013 13:19:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: libkatt http://www.bpl.org/compass/2013/07/20/first-floor-interior-johnson-building-improvement-project/comment-page-1/#comment-5387 libkatt Thu, 25 Jul 2013 18:59:46 +0000 http://www.bpl.org/compass/?p=2448#comment-5387 Why is it necessary to rip out the mezzanine level areas? You could open up the lobby by just removing the walls on level 1. Then you would still have all the valuable space on the Mezzanine level to use for programs, meetings, and other functions. I am not sure that the additional overhead space in the Johnson Building would be that attractive or worth the loss of usable square floor footage. While it would be spacious, it wouldn’t be memorable or inspiring like the barrel vault in Bates Hall is. It doesn’t seem like you would want to showcase huge empty granite walls and a flat boring ceiling. There would still be room in the central area for installations and exhibits. The the areas on the side would be cozier and more comfortable, while still being open to the street view.

]]> By: Bots http://www.bpl.org/compass/2013/07/20/first-floor-interior-johnson-building-improvement-project/comment-page-1/#comment-5371 Bots Tue, 23 Jul 2013 06:47:25 +0000 http://www.bpl.org/compass/?p=2448#comment-5371 What are you doing with what’s on the mezzanine now?

Seriously, Johnson is not my favorite building in the world, but let’s not gut it. It is, for better or worse, the creation of a renowned architect.

How about doing something like installing good modern art, to match the art in the McKim building (but in a manner that matches the modern architecture)? It would be expensive, but certainly less so than taking the building apart.

Also, if you’re thinking about altering the building, pull out those granite plinths! They’re ugly and forbidding. Give them to local artists to turn into statuary for the library. And put in plain glass windows on the second floor, instead of the jail-like barred windows.

There are definitely more important things you can do with your money than knocking out floor space that can be used for materials and seating. There’s already a lot of wasted space in that building.

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