Vanessa Di Paola
Vanessa thoughtfully designs to embrace experiences within the interior spaces she creates while emphasizing details throughout her projects.
Project Overview
Xploration Learning Library | A New Vision for a Library Facility as a Learning Partner for Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Design Education. Libraries, commonly known as a place to become informed from books have been re-envisioned by Vanessa as her project emphasizes the interior environment as a place where an exchange of knowledge and skills is shared from the utilization of modern resources and offerings that enhance interdisciplinary collaboration.
Vanessa created a collaborative and interactive environment in support of research derived from the modernization of academic libraries and learning commons. As libraries evolve to re-purpose stored resources and spaces, the opportunity is provided to support the lack of students learning and working in interdisciplinary ways. Therefore within the shared environment, an exchange between the diverse yet related users is achieved by the approach of visual and physical nodes of engagement. Located at 3120 Lake Shore Blvd West, the Xploration Learning Library is a space dedicated to the undergraduate design community of Humber College students.
Concept/Design Process
Nodes of Engagement The conceptual approach was inspired by the dynamic of a subway map. The traveling paths of the subway lines connect to places and people. The paths integrate and branch off to a central destination. When the lines are disconnected voids are created, although when the lines are connected the paths create crossing points and nodes. From the perspective within the built environment, the visual paths achieved by sightlines lead to the physical destinations of spatial offerings. Essentially connecting places and people within their physical surroundings.
Site Plan/Floor Plan(s)
The Xploration Learning Library provides a balance of general needs, workstations, resources, and amenities. The facility embodies an environment where users have the opportunity to collaborate in informal and formal ways. Each space was designed with the intention for users to gain a physical, visual, tactile, and intellectual experience in the nature of interdisciplinary collaboration.
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Materials Library | Humber College x Material ConneXion
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Digital Studio | Virtual Reality & Bluescape
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Pin-Up Gallery | Multifunctional Indoor & Outdoor Space
3D Views
Materials Library: The two-story glass enclosed materials library travels from the ground level to the mezzanine. Users have the opportunity to engage in a tactile and visual experience. Digital Studio: The architectural features such as the glass partitions frame the space from near and from afar, transitioning the visual interest further into the next technological space. Users have the opportunity to be in touch with technology from a physical and intellectual approach. Pin-Up Gallery: A flexible space that serves multiple purposes such as a gallery, pin-up workstation, and a presentation zone. Leading towards the back is a Nanawall which provides the opportunity to connect to the rentable outdoor space.
Video/Poster
Xploration Learning Library | A New Vision for a Library Facility as a Learning Partner for Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Design Education. A space dedicated to the undergraduate design community of Humber College students.
