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TASK FORCE LEADERS EXPLAIN ARCHITECT SELECTION CRITERIA for NEW CENTRAL LIBRARY

MILFORD PA: March 5, 2007 --  Maleyne Syracuse, Chair of the Building Task Force of the Pike County Public Library and David Farrington, Coordinator of the Design Jury process used to select the winning architectural design by Frederic Schwartz Architects recently outlined the criteria used to evaluate the design submissions.

“At the outset of the competition, all participating architectural firms were supplied with a brief that described the vision for the new central library,” explained Ms Syracuse. “The vision statement presented the broad conceptual framework for the building’s design which included the requirements that the building be state-of-the art library design, that it maximize the natural beauty of the East Harford Street site and that it reflect the cultural and natural diversity of the community and its architecture.” “Of key importance was a structure that would be environmentally friendly to build and operate,” stressed Ms. Syracuse.

The Design Jury that reviewed the detailed presentations of the three finalist firms on February 24, 2007 were guided in their evaluations by a formal set of evaluation criteria developed by the PCPL Building Task Force under the guidance of Task Force member David Farrington. Mr. Farrington explained, “The design evaluation criteria comprised key considerations ranging from the functionality of the proposed spaces, to the appropriateness of the exterior site and landscaping plan, to consideration for ongoing operating costs, construction time and capital cost.” Environmental features were another key evaluation criterion. “For instance,” Mr. Farrington explained, “we asked the jury members to assess the overall environmental friendliness of the building, its construction techniques and materials. Attention was paid to how storm water would be managed, how indoor air quality would be optimized, what renewable resources would be used for construction and how energy efficiency would be maximized.”

Ms. Syracuse noted, “Special attention was focused on whether the interior design represented the best and most efficient use of space and that the design reflected the current attributes of a contemporary library.” “The library specialists who acted as advisors to the Design Jury paid particular attention to the use of space for patrons and staff and to the provision for efficient materials handling and storage,” said Mr. Farrington.

“Major importance among the evaluation criteria was placed on the qualifications, experience and reliability of the design team personnel, including the supporting teams providing engineering, landscape design and interior design services,” noted Ms. Syracuse.

Each of the finalist firms made a 1.5-hour presentation to the Design Jury and responded to questions. Following the presentations, the special advisors to the Jury presented their observations and recommendations. Mary Garm and Pamela Murphy, advisors from the Pennsylvania Library System, provided insight to the benefits and weaknesses of each design from a library operations perspective. Operations, project management and cost specialists from L.R. Costanzo Co., Inc. of Scranton provided input regarding the constructability, estimated costs and special considerations associated with each proposed design.

The Design Jury concluded its deliberations on February 24, 2007 with the unanimous recommendation to select Frederic Schwartz Architects to serve as project architect to construct an 18,000 square foot central library.