The Best Color for Your Library

This past weekend I posted some beautiful photographs to my Facebook group from an Instagram post by Gensler design firm on the newest Brooklyn Library design.  As usual, the Off the Shelf group members made their comments and observations.  This group is the best, and I always love reading their thoughts as well as engaging with everyone.  They never disappoint.  But another group I shared the post to had far more critical views of the images, which lead me to this week's post.  

Join your colleagues and other Library-minded pros on my Off the Shelf Facebook group!  Get connected now for more great information and conversation about Library design!   

Let me preface by explaining the design and my lack of knowledge of the original concept intent.  I had no hand in any part of this design; merely an observer like everyone else, only from a viewpoint of a Library designer myself.  But from what I could see of the design, I do believe a lot of thought for the overall design was applied and that the finished product was created with good intentions.  

However, it is not unheard of that a design for any type of building can be fully created without the end user in mind or for that matter, even consulted for how best the building might function.  And I think the negative comments made on this specific design came from a place of the unknown and assuming it was a design without end user input.  

Design Breakdown:

The appearance of the building is very cold at it's core since there are a great deal of concrete surfaces in the space.  But then they've warmed it up with a plethora of warmer wood tones all throughout the interiors.  There seems to be very little in soft surfaces, if any.  So I'm sure at first glance it seems like an acoustics nightmare.  And maybe it is.  I haven't been there personally, nor have I spoken with anyone who has.  

But, as a Library Interior Designer, I have access to so many products that aren't necessarily common knowledge to people outside of the industry, so I did recognize acoustical properties that were tied into the design in great abundance.  For example, the ceiling is all felt acoustical blades, suspended with cables.  And the wooden ceiling panels aren't actually wood at all.  Instead, they are a special product (most likely perforated) designed to reduce noise and reverberation.

So basically, instead of carpet on the floors, they've put all their soft surfaces on the opposite end, in the ceiling.

The other complaint, however was not sound-related at all.  The most recurring comment was about the neutral color scheme.  Which leads me to the question:

What is the best color for a Library?

This one most definitely lacked color.  There were a few furniture items that carried small splashes of soft greens and other neutrals, but for the most part, the one visual memory you walk away with is that of warm wood tones and gray concrete.  

Not everyone's taste for sure.  But is it wrong?  

Again, I don't know what kind of detail went into the programming phase of this design.  I HOPE it was filled with many meetings involving the design team and the Library Director with his/her trusted team of Library professionals to give constant insight into how their Library functions best and what their patrons are looking for.

But who knows?

If the design concept got the kind of attention it needs and deserves, then most likely this design was a collaborative product that appeals to the local community and makes that budling a better, healthier place for the staff to work in every day.

And there in lies the true answer to the question.  

There is no one-size-fits-all answer for color selections in a Library.  That would be foolish.  But there is a right or wrong for each individual Library and that can only be determined by the Library Director and staff, as long as they are truly tuned into the needs and desires of their community.

Some locations are more modern and require those colder finishes.  No problem as long as you make sure to apply the right balance to those solid surfaces by adding enough soft ones to maintain good sound.

Other locations are super artistic and will often be better served by vibrant colors in large doses.  If this is the case, you can always tone it down some by using more grounded neutrals for furniture pieces and adding tons of brightly-colored artwork and fun, bold accent walls.

My safest technique is to use a simple neutral palette for the majority of the walls and then add accent colors (bold or muted) to different areas of the building along with colorful furniture.  This allows for an easier exchange later down the road, should the design begin to feel outdated and in need of a fresh update.  

FINAL THOUGHTS

For starters, and Library pros should be most understanding of this old cliché, don't judge a book by it's cover.  Learn to appreciate a design, from an image or even in person, for what it is and not expound too much of your energy tearing it apart based on assumptions.  Because when it's all said and done, you never know just how much heart and soul might have been poured into that design by everyone involved.  It just might just be the dream Library they always had in mind.  And if maybe it isn't, what does it hurt anyone on the outside to see the good in it?