Places where people read and learn are full brightness. Vancouver Public Library’s downtown branch design was considered the most radical by architects but was chosen by the public in a democratic referendum. Perhaps Vancouver wanted a departure from its usual the generic green glass buildings — something that felt more monumental than temporary.

Architect Moshe Safdie wanted the look to be warm during the day and used a mix of granite and concrete chips from the North Shore to give it a unique reddish color. The Colosseum-inspired design has a weighty mass during the day but at night it is totally transparent.

Acrylic on canvas, 12″ x 12″
Located at: Private Collection