Making the Most of Your Old Ghosts

Today I taught my Library design course called "Haunted Libraries - A Study in Adaptive Reuse" in honor of the Halloween season.  This has always been one of my favorite times of the year.  Like many people, I love the slight turn of the weather and the magical fiery landscapes surrounding me as I make my way through my day, and the cascade of falling leaves that appear at every turn.  So I thought it only made sense to tie some of that into a lesson on Library design.

This particular lesson ties in the old "ghosts" of buildings past into the collaboration of a new building as it's inhabitant.  So naturally I've thrown in a couple of haunting tales about Library ghosts just to keep it extra interesting.  

Not sure what your old ghosts might be?  If you need help identifying what hidden design elements you have on your hands, schedule a free call with me today and we can start brainstorming on how to improve your space on any budget.

But the main focus is how to incorporate a new Library construction project with an old structure, whether it's a renovation of an existing Library or a Library being moved to a new building that needs work.  Either way, if you're looking down the road to a renovation, facing one now or even experienced one in the past, this week's blog post is perfect for you.

Here are some of the course highlights:

1 - LIVING WITH YOUR GHOSTS

All buildings have a history; a past that lingers unspoken for future dwellers.  This past is like ghosts that are still very much a present reality but often overlooked in the day-to-day tasks of running your Library.  They might be in the old lighting that doesn't supply an adequate spread over your stacks.  They could be looming asbestos in floors installed years before those chemicals were known to be hazardous.  You might smell them in the faintest hint of mold and mildew that hits you in the face as you make your way to the basement.  

Your ghosts are ever-present and a part of your building and other buildings from inception.  You live with them every day whether you realize it or not.

2 - PUTTING YOUR GHOSTS TO USE

One of the best things you can do when renovating your new building is to take a thorough inventory of all your ghosts and evaluate what they might cost you and how they might help you.  If your lighting is terrible and non-conducive to the activities that take place in your Library (i.e. reading, browsing, etc.) then it's time to make changes.  But if you have old brick columns or original wood floors that could add texture and charm to your space, then use them but clean them up.  Add a fresh coat of paint to that brick.  Sand and polish your floors to restore them to their previous glory.  Try and incorporate as much of your old building into your new space that will add character as long as it's not a hazardous material or a money pit.

3 - MAKE SURE YOUR GHOSTS ARE COMPATIBLE

The worst thing you can do is take a building that had a very different use previously and try to make your new building use work anyway.  For example, we were looking at a local bank building when we were beginning discussions for our local Library renovation.  The parking was amazing and our most coveted asset.  However, this three-story bank had a centrally-located elevator shaft that obstructed the view across the entire building on all three floors.  It would have made security a nightmare and cost the county a considerable amount of increased funds just to staff it adequately.  

We decided to renovate the existing building instead and add square footage to the upper floor.  It wasn't our favorite plan, but real estate was scarce and the location is still perfect for that particular community.  We learned to live with our old ghosts instead.

4 - DON'T FORGET THE GHOST STORIES

Retrofitting a new space into an old one is a process, for sure.  Make sure the building you're considering is adaptable and compatible.  But learn the history of your building, whether it's yours or the new one you may purchase.  Know when it was built, since this can tell you a LOT about the chemicals that were used in the original materials.  Bring in a good contractor to examine the building before you purchase it to make sure it's worth the buy.  It may be that the space will cost you so much more than it's worth.  

And for the love, see if it has any good ghost stories tied to it!!  A scary tale always attracts more people.  And that's just good for your Library!

FINAL THOUGHTS

Be intentional when designing your new space. Consider how many different ways that you can tie in old features to spice up the place.  Make sure the building you're looking at using is worth the purchase.  And don't be afraid to toss the things that really just don't work.  I don't care how lovely that decades-old pink and avocado-green bathroom tile may appear at first glance.  Make it go away!