Edgar Cabadas
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Academic / 2018

Maker Library

Miguel Ruiz and I proposed a public library in Santa Monica with housing for people experiencing homelessness. Residents could use the library alongside their neighbors, learn skills in a staffed makerspace and choose support as they worked toward stable housing.

A staff table sits between digital workstations and assembly benches. Tool storage is within sight of the work area, and the open court brings light into the floor.
FIG. 01A staff table sits between digital workstations and assembly benches. Tool storage is within sight of the work area, and the open court brings light into the floor.Learning workshop cutaway
Project brief

A public library, learning spaces and supportive housing

The raised entrance opens into three public reading floors. Higher up, residents can meet privately with staff or use the shared workshops and classrooms. A controlled landing separates private rooms and a common kitchen from the public circulation.

Setting
Santa Monica · Woodbury University
Studio
Design studio
My role
Collaborative studio design with Miguel Ruiz. Urban drawing, tower section and exploded assembly by Edgar Cabadas.
Project drawings

Drawings and studies

Tower and enclosure

The tower rises above the adjacent blocks and transport infrastructure. Changes in floor depth break up the purple screen.
FIG. 02The tower rises above the adjacent blocks and transport infrastructure. Changes in floor depth break up the purple screen.Tower and city blocks · Urban drawing by Edgar Cabadas.
Pulling the façade panels away from the steel frame reveals the floor edge, structural members and circulation behind the screen.
FIG. 03Pulling the façade panels away from the steel frame reveals the floor edge, structural members and circulation behind the screen.Exploded tower bay · Exploded drawing by Edgar Cabadas.
Changes in floor depth bring some rooms to the façade and draw others back toward the court.
FIG. 04Changes in floor depth bring some rooms to the façade and draw others back toward the court.Tower section · Section by Edgar Cabadas.
Public reading floors occupy the lower tower. Resident services and a staffed workshop form a transition to the private rooms above.
FIG. 05Public reading floors occupy the lower tower. Resident services and a staffed workshop form a transition to the private rooms above.Program section · Based on the tower section by Edgar Cabadas.
Read drawing key
  1. Public libraryRaised entry and circulation
  2. Reading floorRooms around the central bay
  3. Library resourcesResearch and reference areas
  4. Resident servicesOpt-in support and private meetings
  5. Learning workshopStaff-led skill sessions
  6. HousingPrivate rooms and shared kitchen

Six occupied floors

At +16 ft, the welcome desk overlooks the open stacks. Reading tables and window seats occupy the raised entry floor.
FIG. 06At +16 ft, the welcome desk overlooks the open stacks. Reading tables and window seats occupy the raised entry floor.Level 1 · Public library
Read drawing key
  1. Welcome deskBorrowing and orientation
  2. Open stacksPublic collection
  3. Reading roomQuieter enclosed bay
  4. Window seatsOverlook beside the stacks
At +28 ft, open stacks flank the court. Shared reading tables sit along the route to the far stair.
FIG. 07At +28 ft, open stacks flank the court. Shared reading tables sit along the route to the far stair.Level 2 · Reading floor
Read drawing key
  1. Open collectionStacks beside the court
  2. Shared readingLong tables near daylight
  3. Small reading bayPerimeter seating
  4. Court landingConnection to lift and stair
At +64 ft, a staffed resource desk connects the lift landing to the stacks. A reading bay and quieter tables sit beyond.
FIG. 08At +64 ft, a staffed resource desk connects the lift landing to the stacks. A reading bay and quieter tables sit beyond.Level 5 · Library resources
Read drawing key
  1. Reference stacksPrint collection
  2. Resource deskDigital-search support
  3. Reading baySeats facing the light court
  4. Quiet tablesEast reading wing
At +76 ft, a drop-in lounge opens from the common route. Enclosed consultation rooms give residents a private place to meet with staff.
FIG. 09At +76 ft, a drop-in lounge opens from the common route. Enclosed consultation rooms give residents a private place to meet with staff.Level 6 · Resident services
Read drawing key
  1. Welcome loungeDrop-in seating
  2. Consult roomsPrivate appointments
  3. Resource tablesStaff-assisted planning
  4. Staff baseRecords and break space
  5. Outdoor walkAccess from the landing
At +100 ft, the mentor table connects digital workstations, tool storage and assembly benches. The B–B cut crosses the workshop and light court.
FIG. 10At +100 ft, the mentor table connects digital workstations, tool storage and assembly benches. The B–B cut crosses the workshop and light court.Level 8 · Makerspace
Read drawing key
  1. Assembly benchesShared hand-tool tables
  2. Digital studioComputer workstations
  3. Mentor tableStaff-led demonstrations
  4. Tool storeSupervised checkout
  5. Break roomSmall upper reading bay
At +124 ft, a controlled landing separates the lift from the residential corridor. Residents share a kitchen and have individual rooms.
FIG. 11At +124 ft, a controlled landing separates the lift from the residential corridor. Residents share a kitchen and have individual rooms.Level 10 · Housing
Read drawing key
  1. Resident landingControlled lift arrival
  2. Private roomsSleeping and bathing
  3. Shared kitchenCooking and dining
  4. Shared corridorAccess to both wings
  5. Linen storeBeside the east stair

Workshop and enclosure

The cut crosses the digital workstations, shared stair and light court before reaching the assembly benches on the other side.
FIG. 12The cut crosses the digital workstations, shared stair and light court before reaching the assembly benches on the other side.Workshop section B–B
Read drawing key
  1. Digital studioGlazed teaching bay
  2. Shared stairTwo flights beside the void
  3. Light courtOpen slot alongside the stair
  4. Assembly roomWorktables near the landing
  5. Tool wallStorage on the working edge
Panel joints and screen divisions follow the floor edges. A recessed glazed entrance opens the screen at the base of the tower.
FIG. 13Panel joints and screen divisions follow the floor edges. A recessed glazed entrance opens the screen at the base of the tower.South elevation
Seen from the existing library, the screened balconies project beyond the tower’s patterned face.
FIG. 14Seen from the existing library, the screened balconies project beyond the tower’s patterned face.View from the library

Project credits

Studio project by Edgar Cabadas and Miguel Ruiz. Miguel drew the studio plans and diagrams. Edgar drew the urban view, tower section and exploded assembly.

Drawing excerpts are resized for screen viewing. Refer to written dimensions.