Quiet and active zones together
Libraries now serve quiet readers, group projects, makerspaces and events at the same time. Good layout and acoustics keep these uses from clashing. Absorptive ceilings, soft finishes, walls that go to the deck, and glass partitions help.
Our interior systems team, led by Brian Wright, builds the walls and ceilings, and our low voltage team can add sound masking.
Because the library is a shared space, we also look at how people move through it. Entrances, help desks and study rooms should be placed so that noise and traffic do not interrupt quiet areas.
Shelving, floors and loads
Books are heavy. Stacks, compact shelving and archives can load a floor much more than a normal office. In-house engineering can review structural needs before shelving is planned.
Our carpenters and millwork crew build circulation desks, reading nooks, shelving and display units that suit the space and last.
Lighting, power and technology
Readers need comfortable, glare-free light. Daylight is welcome but books and screens need control. Our Master Electrician-led crew installs lighting, controls and plenty of power for laptops and charging.
Our low voltage team installs data, wireless support, AV, security and cameras, plus book-theft detection and access control where needed.
Comfort and care of collections
Stable temperature and humidity protect books and archives. Our HVAC crew designs air distribution that is quiet, which matters in a library. Special collections may need additional controls.
Entrances in Alberta need to handle winter, with mats and flooring that withstand slush and salt.
Planning notes
Libraries in schools and campuses are often renovated in summer. Plan for collection moves, shelving lead times and temporary services. HSM keeps one schedule across trades so the space is ready when students return.
Our own electrical and low voltage crews install lighting, power and data together, which avoids repeated work in finished ceilings and floors.