Short List, Long Process

On February 23, the Board of Trustees, Library Design Study Committee, Project Manager John Sayre-Scibona, and I hunkered down in the Police Station Conference Room to develop the short-list of architects to interview on March 16. There were 17 proposals from top notch firms that we resolved to narrow down to 4 finalists, and 13 people in the room had to reach an agreement. You will be happy to hear we never once had to call in a police officer to assist.

Three hours later, the Trustees voted to interview: Beacon Architectural Associates, Durland Van Voorhis Architects, Johnson Roberts Associates, and R.E. Dinneen Architects & Planners. All applicants have been notified of this determination and so I am free to spread the word.

We put in three hours of work after spending an average of 5 hours each in background preparation for the ranking session. The selection team made this task of reading and ranking their weekend R&R. Our project manager created a score chart based on the criteria specified in the request for qualifications package and the Trustees and Committee took the information home to try it. This tool made each of us focus equally on the proposals, as color, style, personality, and captivating pictures abounded.

I am satisfied that the process worked. All of us are eager to meet the people behind the proposals.

So now my Aedicule of Architects consists of four pillars.

Your Librarian,
Elizabeth

Aedicule of Architects

We call a gathering of geese a gaggle, a flock of crows a murder, a flight of bees a swarm, a hatch of chicks a clutch, grazing cattle a herd, and family of cats a colony.

What shall we call a convention of architects? I suggest "aedicule of architects." This is how I will collectively refer to the 23 architects I hung out with yesterday. I knew they were coming to visit the Library, so I have been boning up on my archi-speak.

The 23 architects representing 22 firms toured the Library for the scheduled, voluntary walk-through our project manager arranged and distributed in the request for qualifications package. How I basked in their open admiration for this building. I think James Walker, the Library's original architect, would have blushed!

Library patrons and librarians know time spent in this building makes them feel good. But to have this analytically broken down for us by the doctors of design into the sum of clerestory, niches and cantilevers was the ultimate "AHAH!"

I now picture my aedicule of architects busily crafting proposals that will allow them to brandish their own brush-stroke on Jimmy's brilliant design.

Architects Rule (pun intended.)