History and Specifics
Historical Timeline
- 1990: a referendum ballot poses two questions to Vancouverites: is there a need for a new Central Library and for a new branch in the Renfrew/Collingwood community? 69% of the population favourably supports the two building programs.
- 1991: 350 West Georgia is selected as the site of the Central Library.
- 1992: the winning submission of Moshe Safdie & Associates and local partners Downs/Archambault is announced by Vancouver City Council. It is by far the most radical design departure in comparison to other buildings in the city, and yet it is the public favourite.
- January 1993: excavation begins at the Library Square site. It takes 26 months to complete the project.
- May 26, 1995: The Central Library officially opens. The Library Square building project is the largest capital project ever undertaken by the City of Vancouver at this time.
- June 2017: construction begins on the levels 8 and 9 expansion project. The renowned Safdie Architects as well as landscape architect, Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, are retained for the project.
- September 2018: the expansion project is completed and the library opens the top two floors to the public.
Biography and Architectural Vision
Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie came to international recognition with the Montreal Expo 67 Habitat pavilion. He has designed some of the Canada’s most iconic buildings, including the National Gallery in Ottawa, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts .
Of the Vancouver Public Central Library Safdie has said, "The Urban room as a concept began when I worked on the Vancouver Library. They said, "We don’t want this to be just a library, but we want to create a place where you can come, have a cup of coffee, you can buy some flowers, you can read the newspaper, you can go into the library, you can get a book, you can bring it out, and it’s open all the time. So we created an urban room." (Interview with Moshe Safdie, The Architect’s Newspaper)
Useful Websites
Digital Library Resources
Recommended Titles
