On 18 July the new National Library for Singapore will open its doors to the public for the first time. This is a library intended for the 21st century and is one of the most technologically advanced buildings of its type in the world. To attract clients and customers, the chief executive of the library board asked Arup Communications to provide a building with ‘wow factors’. Here are some of the wow factors to come out of the initial study …

1

- Radio frequency identification

The National Library Board has been pioneering the use of radio frequency identification.

This is a more advanced version of the technology used by retailers to prevent shoplifting. Just like clothing items in a shop, the books are tagged, which allows library staff to track each and every book so that they know exactly where it is in the building.

However, the system is intended more as a tool to aid business rather than a security measure. The building infrastructure has been designed to support the system that ultimately will allow a user to input the book they are looking for onto a handheld device, such as a PDA or tablet PC, which can then guide them to the correct shelf – even if the book has been put back in the wrong place.

2

- The Toolbox

The Toolbox is a really well thought out information hub. The idea is that visitors will be able to begin their experience of the Singapore Library from home or school, whatever the country, by logging onto its website. “You’ve got to entice them with quite a lot of information on a remote basis at home but then indicate that you’ve got a hundred times more,

plus the whole experience of entering this stunning building,” says Jim Read, associate director with Arup Communications.

Arriving at the library, users can log into their accounts at the Toolbox, using their own PDA, laptop or the facilities available, and browse through books without having to even get them off the shelf. The three screens mean multiple books can be viewed at one time.

A scanner built into the desk also allows documents to be scanned and taken away.

Ultimately, as wireless communications become more prevalent, users can continue their research on the train or bus journey to the library.

3

- The iGuide and the nGuide

With such a large, multifaceted building it is important that visitors should be able to find their way around.

The iGuide is for visitors who want to have their own personal guide around the library. They can download the guide onto their own PDA or similar handheld device and use it to navigate around the building, while being provided with location-specific information.

The nGuide on the other hand is for the benefit of visitors being shown around by library staff. Staff conducting the tours will use their handheld device as a prompt and also use it to display information such as video clips or floor plans. If the handheld device isn’t big enough for the size of group they can use it to transfer the information onto local display screens.

4

- The Narrator

Exhibitions and displays make up a big part of the Singapore Library. While the library is encouraging visitors to access the information it holds using their own handheld devices, the design team have also come up with mobile screen – the Narrator – where visitors can receive a narrative and information on the exhibits.

This might not sound revolutionary, but Arup’s Read says it is an exciting development in the library sector. “We’re using the latest flat panel displays and and we’re communicating wirelessly with it,” says Read. Wireless installation adds to the flexibility of the displays and enables additional screens to be introduced at weekends or if an exhibition proves to be particularly popular.

5

- The Matrix

The concept for the Matrix – inspired, as its name suggest, by the film – is to install a large screen in the entrance foyer displaying information on events, exhibitions and the library. Visitors can approach the screen and cherry-pick information by dragging it to the portion of screen in front of them. “The idea is that you come in find out what’s on, where you want to go and instead of just tapping away at a keyboard you can drag stuff around and enlarge it,” says Read.

The technology that makes this possible is similar to that used on the touch pad of a laptop. “It is involving people in the whole experience and getting people to do it for themselves, gathering the most information they can,” says Read.

How Singapore’s new library stacks up

  • The 15-storey building consists of two blocks separated by an internal street and linked by bridges at the upper levels

  • The larger block contains the library collection while the curved, smaller building houses the noisier public spaces

  • The building’s responsive facade design includes distinctive blades, up to 6 m deep in some locations, to provide solar and glare control

  • Most of the library workspaces and collection areas are fully air-conditioned, with mixed-mode ventilation used in the lobbies, foyers and courtyards

  • Design simulations for the 60,000 m2 library show energy consumption figures of about 185 kWh/m2/year – less than the 230 kWh/m2/year for a typical commercial office tower in Singapore

  • The total embodied energy of the building has been calculated at 17 GJ/m2 – within the generally accepted benchmarks for commercial buildings of 10-18 GJ/m2

  • The building makes use of recycled materials for the carpets and wall fabrics as well as sustainably-forested local timber

  • There is over 6000 m2 of designated “green space” throughout the library, much of it in the form of urban skycourts

  • Convergence plays a big part in the building with the business data networks integrated with the building control network

If these don’t whet your whistle why not try something more traditional

Singapore sling recipe
30 ml Gin
15 ml Cherry brandy
120 ml Pineapple juice
15 ml Lime juice
7.5 ml Cointreau
7.5 ml Dom benedictine
10 ml Grenadine
A dash of Angostura bitter
Garnish with a slice of pineapple and cherry

Source

Building Sustainable Design