Feasibility Design Charrette Sparks Creative Possibilities

Syracuse Public Library Director Kim Blaha and Robert Rensberger explore a vision board of other libraries' design brought by Arkos Design.

On Thursday, Nov. 11, Syracuse Public Library staff, board members and Friends of the Library members dreamed big during a design charrette with architects from Arkos Design of Mishawaka.

A design charrette – a type of participatory planning process – assembles a team consisting of citizens, architects and designers to create a design and implementation plan for a specific project. Participants and designers hit on several design elements that would enable the Syracuse Public Library to best service the community today and in the future.

As part of the charrette, participants shared their library dreams. These ranged from more private meeting spaces and quiet study spaces to greater accessibility, outdoor programming spaces, better parking, room to grow specific book collections like mystery and a more designated teen space. After this brainstorming session, everyone reviewed a vision board featuring pictures of other libraries’ spaces, leaving notes on elements they loved or disliked.
​
Arkos architects then pooled these dream items together to craft potential preliminary designs for future library expansion. While not concrete, these designs opened exciting opportunities for the library.
This meeting marked the beginning of the Syracuse Public Library’s feasibility study, which will guide it toward viable improvements in the building and its grounds.