Franklinton Community Library
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Date
2024-05
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Publisher
The Ohio State University
Abstract
This is a speculative design proposal for a Library of the Future in Franklinton, Ohio. The goal of this project is to illustrate how secondary research on library typology and social-intellectual health can inform decision-making for an interior design project. Libraries have the potential to serve as beacons of light in civil society and provide a sense of community cohesion. Historically, they are known to increase literacy and educational achievement. In the contemporary age of information, the question is how can a library maintain its physical relevance as a useful and desirable place for communities to gather and flourish? What might the Library of the Future look like? The design of this project uses the flow of a river as a metaphor to accentuate the channels of knowledge that run through communities. The project explores how an interior environment in an adaptive reuse building can inspire the co-creation of new knowledge and the transfer and application of that knowledge. Franklinton, near downtown Columbus, might be described as a neighborhood in transition—recent urban development has brought renewed interest to the area after years of economic hardship, crime, and population loss. Paired with the ongoing threat of gentrification, the ideal solution calls for a double-pronged approach coupling social impact interventions with the provision of continual opportunities for educational development for all members of the community. Literature review of libraries as an architectural typology and case study analyses led to the evidence-based interior design project proposal. The library of the future strives for innovation and embraces its core essence as a conduit for knowledge-sharing. It inspires lifelong learning and promotes dialogue between community members. This project aims to equip Franklinton with the tools to find success in both personal and community-based social impact endeavors.
Description
Civil Discourse for Citizenship Award, Center for Ethics and Human Values
Honorable Mention, 2024 Denman Undergraduate Research Forum
Honorable Mention, 2024 Denman Undergraduate Research Forum
Keywords
Interior Design, Library, Community Development, Knowledge Flows, Adaptive Reuse, Evidence-based Design