Calgary Central Library

A Place for Everyone

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Calgary Central Library

Community Building

The Calgary Central Library is an example of what a public space can be. Designed by Snøhetta and DIALOG, the space is a both a literal and metaphorical representation of the community’s multifaceted nature; the interlocking hexagons of its façade can combine to create endless forms and images, while the building itself houses services for everyone across the community. The expansive 5-story, 240,000-square foot library has spaces dedicated to a wide range of activities for everyone, regardless of age or demographics. Highlights include a performance hall, café, and Indigenous art installations, as well as services like digital learning labs, recording studios, and children’s early learning centres.
  • Client

    Calgary Public Library

  • Location

    Calgary, Alberta

  • Sector

    Cultural

  • Discipline

    Wayfinding, Experiential Graphics

  • Architect

    Snøhetta and DIALOG

  • Photography

    Jason Dziver

  • Awards

    SEGD Merit Award Chicago Athenaeum Good Design Award Graphis Design Annual Silver Award

Calgary Central Library interior with column-mounted sign surrounded by book shelves and people using space

A Welcoming Environment

Because the space is so large and the clientele so varied, the library needed signage that could be intuitively understood by every visitor, including children. Entro’s solution creates a cohesive experience across the library, but also differentiates between each of its spaces and resources.

 

The signage continues the use of the hexagonal shapes from the façade, creating a continuity between the architectural design and navigation. To better integrate with the open concept layout and soaring ceilings, we minimized suspended and wall-mounted displays. We also wanted to avoid imposing on floor space with free-standing signs, and so created designs that worked well on columns, shelves, and across vertical orientations.

  • Calgary Central Library exterior entrance with building identification signage beside entry staircase
  • Calgary Central Library interior with column-mounted sign surrounded by book shelves and people using space
  • Column-mounted directional signage
  • People using digital room booking signage at Calgary Central Library
  • Split image showing wall-mounted directional signage in context beside an elevator and as a close up detail shot.
  • Stack end showing signage that identifies subject area
  • Signage wrapping around a column in a busy area of Calgary Central Library
The library needed signage that could be intuitively understood by every visitor, including children. Playful graphics encourage visitors of all ages to explore the library's intuitive vertical orientation.
Projecting identification signage for the children's area of Calgary Central Library.
Washroom signage with pictogram and the word

A Place for Storytelling

Readers are guided from genre to genre by a colour-coded signage system that is supplemented by simple and playful graphics. Placing the signs directly on the shelving allows for easy flexibility as the collections grow and the community’s tastes change.

Stack ends with graphics showing archival images and the subject area

A similar colour and graphic system is used to direct visitors to different sections of the library. Whether someone is attending a show at the performing arts centre or just looking for the nearest washroom, finding their way is as simple as following a certain colour or image.

 

The system’s adaptability even allows the signs to become part of the service itself. The signs along the “Calgary’s Story” area, which offers a historical look of the community, incorporates images that both identify the collection and serve as an introduction to the city’s story.

  • 600,000

    Items can be found in Calgary's Central Library.

  • 1,000,000

    People visited the Library during the first seven months.

  • 240,000

    Square feet make up the 5-story building, which features a performance hall, café, and Indigenous art installations, as well as digital learning labs, recording studios, and children’s early learning centres.

The new Calgary Central Library proves that in a digital age, public libraries are more important than ever before. Architecture, materials, environmental graphics, and programming combine to inspire a sense of discovery, inclusion and history.

Learn more about Calgary Public Library here.

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