Vancouver Public Library, a photo from British Columbia, Western

Photographer's Note

The best way to view the pictures is to use the 3 links below.

Vancouver Public Library

The third stop with our guide Craig.
When you walk down Robson Street, you will see the Vancouver Public Library appear on your left when you reach Homer Street. For a moment you will think that you have arrived at the Colosseum in Rome. But it is indeed the Vancouver library opened in 1995.
The architects Moshe Safdie, Richard Archambault and Barry Downs won the design competition for the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) in 1993.
“The library is a rectangular box surrounded by a free-standing, elliptical, colonnaded wall featuring reading and study areas that are accessed by bridges tension skylit light wells. The libraries internal glass facade overlooks an enclosed concourse formed by a second elliptical wall. ” (Wikipedia).

The building is loved and admired by many, but there is also much criticism.
For example, in the book Vancouver: Representing the Postmodern City. the Architectural critic Trevor Boddy replied to the question: What does a Colosseum and a public library have in common ?: “shameless populism”
Relatively little is spoken in architecture about plagiarism. With strongly resembling designs one will often talk about "mutual admiration and inspiring one another”.
Thus Moshe Safdie will also have defended the resemblance of the library with the Colosseum.
Yet, with such a strong similarity, there is a case to be said for the statement that the inspiration from the 2000-year-old building is a lack of a personal, original fantasy.

That does not alter the fact that the VPL is an asset to the city and certainly is a contemporary, functional building with an interior that you will enjoy visiting to soak up some culture.

■ Picture 1: ◄ Vancouver Library Colosseum ►

■ Picture 2: ◄ The Entrance ►

■ Picture 3: ◄ The Central Hall ►

ikeharel, COSTANTINO, ChrisJ, PaulVDV, pierrefonds, Royaldevon, Tue, Tue, jean113, pajaran, Fis2, drt100, drt100, papagolf21, jhm, sacimar, adramad, cornejo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

COSTANTINO (104259) 2019-08-10 8:22

hello dear Rob
with a guide as craig surely the third
stop is worthseeing
I red carefully your useful notes
and that the building is loved and
admired by many and there is
also much critism
welldone
regards
Costantino

ikeharel (105977) 2019-08-10 8:23

Exceptional modern design of the library building, three photos from this place give a good idea of the architects creativity.
Good view with street scenery up front.
Wish you a nice weekend,
Ike

Silvio1953 (205890) 2019-08-10 8:27

Ciao Rob, lovely composition with original architecture, excellent clarity, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

ChrisJ (160138) 2019-08-10 8:39

Ciao Rob,

It looks like a mini Colosseum! All roads lead to Vancouver! Good sharpness and nice blue skylight reflections in the windows. Tfs!

PaulVDV (54931) 2019-08-10 8:53

Hallo Rob,
Vooraleer ik je nota las, ging mijn eerste gedachte naar een modern Colosseum. Ditmaal echter met veel vreedzamer bedoelingen.
Eerlijk gezegd, vind ik op je foto's die de bibliotheek van binnen tonen een veel mooier gebouw dan ik verwachtte bij het zien van de buitenkant.
Vooral je tweede foto in de WS toont een heel mooi gebouw. Er valt veel licht naar binnen en we zien door het glazen dak nog een ander gebouw dat mooi weerspiegeld wordt.
Ook van compositie is dat mijn lievelingsfoto van deze reeks.
Vele groeten, Paul

pierrefonds (103663) 2019-08-10 9:26

Hi Rob,

The presence of the persons has an effect of scale. The point t of view is showing the details of the architecture of the Vacouver Public Library. The light is giving good rendering of the colours. Have a nice day.

Pierre

holmertz (92938) 2019-08-10 9:33

Hello Rob,
Craig has posted a few interesting photo from the rooftop of this building, but I can't remember seeing it from the street or the ground floor. It's obviously a building that makes quite a different impression from different angles. Yes, it resembles the Colosseum, but so what? Haven't architects been inspired by antiquity for the past several hundred years? How many buildings are truly original, not borrowing details from anything ever made before? These three photos are all interesting. The workshops show that the interior offers more exciting photo opportunities, but the main photo is necessary as a general description of the building. Without it we would all be wondering "but what does it look like?".
Best regards,
Gert

Royaldevon (75584) 2019-08-10 10:13

Hello Rob,

When it comes to art, you will always have opposing views, which is a relief, for we are all very different!
I would argue that the resemblance to the Colosseum draws attention to this very public building or that the impact of the building on Vancouver is equal to the impact of the Colosseum on Rome.
I rather like the shape, and I really like your w/s, showing the Central Hall of the library, where the lines and the light create the most amazing effects. It is worth the circular shape just to experience that!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)
Does this all seem like a dream, now that you are home and have got over your jet lag?

Tue (82360) 2019-08-10 10:22

Hallo Rob,
Zelfs een spitsvondige vergelijking tussen oude gladiatoren en moderne boekenwurmen is toch maar moeilijk te maken. Maar wat je van het gebouw ook vindt, gelukkig zijn er in ieder geval altijd nog de spiegelingen in de grote ramen. Niettemin is er hier mij geen conciërge opgevallen die even breed stond te glimmen als in Calgary.
Lars

rbassin (27464) 2019-08-10 10:57

Hello Rob
un bon sujet photographique, la bibliothèque est vue sous un angle intéressant avec l'élément vertical de droite.
bon W-E
Roland

jean113 (22131) 2019-08-10 12:29

Hello Rob, it could be taken as a compliment to use the Colosseum as the inspiration for the VPL, but of course, there is no-one still around to receive that compliment!!
Thank you for posting this one as the main post, accompanied by the excellent pictures from the interior.
It is a 'must see' place to visit when in Vancouver.
Three excellent pictures with a very informative and thought provoking note.
Regards
Jean.

pajaran (102782) 2019-08-10 12:53

Pozdrav.
Lepi pogledi, interesantan tekst ...
Dobar rad sa lepim fotografijama u radionici, lepo pokazano, dobar kontrast, lepe boje.
Lepa fasada i detalji, lepa zgrada biblioteke.
Zelim vam sve najbolje za vikend.
Paja.

Greeting.
Nice views, interesting text ...
Good work with nice photos in the workshop, nice showing, good contrast, nice colors.
Nice facade and details, nice library building.
I wish you all the best for the weekend.

Fis2 (155762) 2019-08-10 13:26

Witaj Rob!
Very interesting "rotunda" building.
Good framing, colors and sharpness.
I like reflections in windows.
Well done.
I like WS too.
Nice sunday.
Krzysztof

Nicou (193806) 2019-08-10 22:14

Hello

Avec l'animation en fond les personnes la rue cette lumière quel ensemble et édifice tout en rondeur comme le Colisée superbe quelle architecture moderne et ces reflets dans le vitrage superbe
Bravo et amitié
Nciou

papagolf21 (152601) 2019-08-10 22:22

Bonjour, cher Rob,
Il faut savoir vivre avec son temps et surtout avec l'environnement existant.
Cette bibliothèque qui rappelle l'un des édifices prestigieux que l'on peut voir à Rome, a toute sa place ici. Son originalité conceptuelle est manifeste et déjà en avance puisque construit en 1995 (sauf erreur).
Les mises en images sont toujours appréciées.
Amitiés.
Philippe

jemaflor (135520) 2019-08-10 23:36

Hi Rob,
Interesting architecture, original and well framed from a good POV, nice presentation with contrast between sun light and shadows, tfs.

emka (152388) 2019-08-11 0:08

Hello Rob, We know already this public library from Craig's photos. The inspiration by Colosseum in Rome is clearly visible. Interesting interior shots. Libraries are very interesting buildings, Also in Warsaw, I always guide my guests in the library of the University. It is very interesting. Craig was there too :). In fact, you could visit Warsaw maybe?

Kind regards MAlgo

lousat (130061) 2019-08-11 1:58

Hi Rob. had already thought of an imitation of the Colosseum before reading your notes ... hey ... and of course there have been many controversies, as always, about the architectural style. I like it, and also the two photos showing the modernity of the internal structures confirm my tastes, another interesting post from Vancouver! Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

jhm (203133) 2019-08-11 6:18

Goedemiddag Rob,

Niet alleen in België maar ook in Canada zien de vervelende draden voor de gevels hangen.
Ik heb mij reed meerdere malen gerergerd aan de vuile draden.
Het gebouw op zich is wel mooi
Goed foto werk, bedankt.

Groeten uit Oost-Vlaanderen,
John.

rychem (72179) 2019-08-11 8:15

Great photo of the interesting building, certainly inspired by the Colosseum. Is this plagiarism or not? that is the question. I think no one can match the Colosseum, the building in Rome is unique
regards Ryszard

sacimar (38173) 2019-08-12 9:44

Hello Rob,

good image of this curious building, I like its round architecture, it does not look a library, it is an interesting one, well done,

Best regards,

Sergio

Miguel82 (47108) 2019-08-13 12:00

Rob, i think it s a strange design for a library. The colosseum doesn t have nothing common neither with a library nor with Canada and Vancouver. I understand it is a controversial project. Now it s too late it must be adopted by the local population. Good light, nice street view.

jmdias (103052) 2019-08-13 13:33

rob

I am sure the idea was robbed from the original roman building. it was like a transformation of the ancient structure in a modern one, not a copy but a recreation like picaso did with the spanish classics of painting.

take care

jorge

mkamionka (61366) 2019-08-14 8:29

Hi Rob,
this must have been a great tour. I cannot imagine a better guide that Craig :)
The structure here is quite interesting and indeed it made me thing of Colosseum.
Pleasant geometry, very well seen and captured,
M

adramad (67078) 2019-08-15 9:43

Hi John.
The square is wonderful by itself, if you also incorporate an event, as I can see from the great shadow of a huge hill, the choice is to enjoy it in such a beautiful environment. All these people give a lot of vitality and enthusiasm to the image.
Sharpness, lighting, color, and the magnificent composition; They are all perfectly realized factors, in this beautiful image. Very interesting photos of the WS.
Well done I like very much.
You have a good day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

cornejo (61504) 2019-08-17 11:10

Hi Rob, very nice picture of this beautiful and interesting building, very well captured in this interesting image with good sharpness, depth, light, color and quality. Very good and interesting work perfectly done, my congratulations my friend. Thank you for sharing this beautiful work.

Good night and happy Sunday.
Warm regards from southern Spain.
Angel.