Orillia Public Library and Market Square Orillia, Ontario, Canada
The new Orillia Public Library and Market Square dramatically refresh downtown Orillia. The library’s fritted glass facade shimmers in the sunlight—a delicate counterpoint to the weighty red brick piers of the adjacent, Victorian Opera House. The library’s windows, decorated with syncopated, vertical bands of foliage, add surprising decoration to the otherwise clean and contemporary building. This ornamentation stems from the town council’s desire, as is typical of many regional towns with a proud history, to construct a new building that would compliment its nineteenth and early twentieth century neighbours.
Determined to respond to their client’s desires, but to also create a building that would communicate the here and now, the architects drew inspiration from the intricate decorative motifs of the book spines, frontispieces and printed borders in Orillia Public Library’s rare book collection. Satisfying the sticklers for history, they developed six graceful motifs based on Victorian typographic borders. The ceramic ink, or ‘frit’, was applied directly to the glass panels by sending the architect’s digital files to a large-scale ink jet printer. The panels were then annealed to permanently fuse the graphic to the glass. These graphics were integrated into alternating glass bays within the curtain wall of the building’s courtyard-facing façade. Inside the building the architects continued the theme, for example applying the motifs to glass balustrades and to a privacy screen behind the checkout counter. Outside, the library’s ribbon of ornate glass is complemented by simple expanses of Spanish terracotta tile, architectural concrete and Ontario limestone that echo the materiality of the Opera House and the surrounding streetscape.
This historically sensitive composition introduces a lively and graceful presence to a part of Orillia that had become forlorn with the movement of retail to big box stores to the town’s outer limits. By day sunlight filters through the foliage patterns, creating a lively internal experience of ever-changing texture. At night the crystalline portion casts a warm glow on the sleepy town.
The windows not only draw on the history and purpose of the place, they also underscore the technical advancements of the day: the ceramic frit technology that was used to apply the pattern to the glass is just as innovative today as machined books were to the Victorian era.
The library’s two-storey, L-shaped building works with the Opera House to frame a new public courtyard where none previously existed. The sloping site defines a series of spaces including areas designed to accommodate the popular farmers’ market, the crowds of people who gather after concerts, and a place for outdoor performances, festivals and community events – all now supported by facilities within the library. In both appearance and function, the building is full of pride, joining Orillia’s past with its modern-day municipal life.
For More Information Naomi Kriss Principal Kriss Communications Inc. [email protected] 416.532.5454
Orillia Public Library and Market Square Orillia, Ontario, Canada perkinswill.com Fact Sheet /
+ Location Subconsultants Orillia, Ontario, Canada + Structural Engineering Halcrow Yolles + Date of completion April 2013 + Mechanical Engineering Smith + Andersen + Total Square Footage 42,000 sf + Electrical Engineering Mulvey & Banani International + Construction Cost $18.8 million CAD + Landscape Architect MBTW Group + Architect / Interior Design Perkins+Will Canada Inc. + Sustainable Design Engineer Enermodal Engineering Project Team + Managing Principal + Commissioning Consultant D’Arcy Arthurs CMFS Group
+ Design Principal Photography Credit Andrew Frontini + Ben Rahn / A-Frame Images 1-6, 9-10, 12-18 + Architectural Team Werner Sommer + Tom Arban Photography Kira Varvanina Images 7, 8, 11 Vis Sankrithi Joginder Dhanjal Rick Galezowski
Orillia Public Library and Market Square Orillia, Ontario, Canada perkinswill.com About Perkins+Will Canada Perkins+Will Canada aligns the talents of four award-winning practices: Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and Dundas, with a shared commitment to sustainable technology and innovative design.
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Orillia Public Library and Market Square Orillia, Ontario, Canada perkinswill.com Image 1
The new Orillia Public Library’s clean and modern building is distinguished by its fritted glass windows that provide a contemporary inter- pretation of mass produced ornament. The patterns are derived from motifs found in the library’s rare book collection and create a dialogue with the town’s historic buildings.
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A palette of Spanish terracotta tile, architectural concrete and Ontario limestone echo the materiality of the adjacent Opera House and the surrounding streetscape.
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Varied patterns and curved glass corners invite pedestrians to explore the perimeter of the building whose facades are each different, responding to their context.
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A ribbon of curved and fritted glass frames a new public courtyard.
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In the main atrium sunlight filters through the windows, enlivening the interiors with a play of light and shadow.
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The new building forms a dialogue with the historic Opera House. Views, materiality and landscape connect the two.
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The central atrium is a busy hub and a counterpoint to the quiet stacks and reading rooms.
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By day sunlight filters through the foliage patterns, creating a lively internal experience of ever-changing texture.
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Views to the green roofs and the Opera House create a pleasant setting and underscore Orillia’s architectural legacy.
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Clerestory windows invite natural light into the heart of the building.
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A gallery wall was created for a salon style hanging of Orillia’s art collection — another historic inspired feature within the contemporary context.
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Victorian ornamental motifs appear again at various points within the interior, creating a strong brand for the library.
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A the new, landscaped courtyard becomes a social space for performances, festivals and community events, giving downtown Orillia a new pulse. The sloping ground plane created the opportunity for a series of terraced spaces with integrated seating.
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The library’s syncopated frit windows take cues from the brick bays of the adjacent Opera House. Double texture paving in the parking lot forms a “community quilt” and a graphic order for vending stalls at Orillia’s weekly Farmers’ Market.
Orillia Public Library and Market Square Orillia, Ontario, Canada perkinswill.com Site Plan
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1. Opera House
2. New Library
3. Market Square
4. Library Square
5. Reading Garden
6. Performance Terrace
Orillia Public Library and Market Square Orillia, Ontario, Canada perkinswill.com Ground Floor Plan
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1. Library Square 7. Ramp & Stairs to Children’s Levels 13. Lounge
2. Reading Garden 8. Children’s Reference & Lounge 14. Circulation
3. Performance Terrace 9. Children’s Collection 15. Cafe
4. Entrance Hall 10. Children’s Activity Area 16. Multipurpose Rooms/Market Hall
5. Reception/Check-out 11. Children’s Program Area 17. Public Washrooms
6. Popular Materials 12. Children’s Staff 18. Information Orillia
Orillia Public Library and Market Square Orillia, Ontario, Canada perkinswill.com Second Floor Plan
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1. Gallery Hall 7. Computer Learning Center 13. Administration Offices
2. Reference Area 8. Staff Workrooms 14. Planted Canopy
3. Fireplace Lounge 9. Study Rooms 15. Open to Below
4. Youth Lounge 10. Bridge
5. Youth Collection 11. Historical Collection
6. Adult Collection 12. Staff Lounge
Orillia Public Library and Market Square Orillia, Ontario, Canada perkinswill.com Sections
Section A
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2 3 5
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1. Gallery Hall 4. Children’s Program Area 7. Computer Learning Center
2. Children’s Collection 5. Library Square
3. Ramp & Stairs to Children’s Level 6. Adult Collection
Section B
3 1 9 10
6 7 8 2 4 5
1. Gallery Hall 4. Children’s Program Area 7. Circulation 10. Adult Collection
2. Children’s Activity Area 5. Children’s Staff 8. Information Orillia
3. Fireplace Lounge 6. Lounge 9. Staff Workrooms
Section C
4 5
6 1 2 3
1. Steps up from Mississaga Street 4. Youth Collection & Lounge
2. Entrance Hall 5. Computer Learning Center
3. Reception/Check-out 6. Cafe
Orillia Public Library and Market Square Orillia, Ontario, Canada perkinswill.com Elevations
East Elevation
North Elevation
South Elevation
West Elevation
Orillia Public Library and Market Square Orillia, Ontario, Canada perkinswill.com