Comments Off on Reimagining the Free Library of Philadelphia
Client: Free Library of Philadelphia
In preparation for the new reality at libraries, with diminishing stacks and the need to expand its services and outreach to the community, this two hour long public workshop kicked off a longer collaboration with the Free Public Library in Philadelphia.
Working with the President and Director of Philadelphia’s Library System Siobhan Reardon, and her staff, and supported by students from the ‘Design for Social Impact’ program that Jonas Milder directed at that time ( https://issuu.com/mid_uart ), we developed and facilitated highly structured program to explore options for the new Library ‘Commons’, a 6,000 sqft. space just renovated at the Central Library of Philadelphia.
Forty participants from a wide range organizations and communities representative of the Philadelphia community worked through a series of intensive exercises to explore three paramount considerations for the new space: Space; Experience; Services.
Outcomes of this workshop were presented to the Library Board and became part of the planning process and further development of the space and programming for the Central Library and throughout the Philadelphia Library System.
Milder Library Shelving offers a modern look with brushed aluminum verticals and the exposed edge of the pre-finished plywood. Shelving units are available in single and double sided and can be used to create walls and enclosures within a larger space
The system is designed with durability in mind; the aluminum verticals serve to protect against dings and chips in high traffic areas.
Each unit has three fixed shelves, with the rest being adjustable. Additional options include doors, locks and inset lighting.
Single and double sided library shelving
Secure storage for rare books
Create intimate spaces within the open plan
Have an idea? We can adapt our system to bring it to life.
LITTLE is an architectural firm that came to Milder Office to overhaul their 10,000SF offices in Durham, NC, they had a good sense of what it is they wanted. Our furniture system allowed the client to tailor products to their specific needs while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic throughout.
Clients have specialized needs, LITTLE wanted oversized desktops that could support the way they worked and could accommodate architectural plans. Milder also furnished conference rooms, private offices, lounge, as well as a custom kitchen and storage options throughout. A clever mix of pre-finished plywood colors were specified throughout the space to great effect.
The AIA Orlando Chapter awarded a Merit Award to the LITTLE Durham office. The jury commended the project’s successful interiors reuse project for being “restraint with a minimalist approach and strong interior furniture elements”.
Forget the cubicle and upgrade to the Milder Quad Workstation to create semi private work areas within an open floor plan.
You can determine the degree of privacy by adjusting the height of the partition or adding side partitions. Our Quad Workstation can be specified with a wide range of options including pedestals, partitions, pin-up surface, monitor stands, CPU holders, keyboard trays, and more.
Our strength is in our ability to customize and make these units match you needs and your space. We regularly provide plans and assistance in floor planning to our clients as part of our proposals.
The units at left have a return, privacy panels and pinwall.
Quad workstations with Box/Box/File pedestals and 18” tall partitions.
All panels in 3/4” birch plywood.
Choice of transparent film, UV lacquer finishes,
HPL or FORBO desktop linoleum overlays.
Pinwall in FORBO cork linoleum
Vertical supports in 1 1/6ӯ aluminum tubing.
On levelers.
With returns and desktop storage compartments (custom)
Designed with storage cubbies facing the outside (custom)
With privacy panels, pinwall, and overhead storage (open to both sides)
Library (reading) tables are available with or without modesty panels and in a variety of sizes and finishes. We specify a range of power/data modules, monitor mounts and cable management solutions. Cable cutout available upon request. The standard height is 29″, or 26” for children’s library tables. Casters are optional.
Library tables may be specified with or without modesty panels.
Basic tables come in any size or shape up to
L92 x W46”. Tops are supported by three inch aprons on all sides.
Clearance below is 25”.
Tops and aprons from 3/4” birch plywood.
Choice of Transparent film or UV lacquer finish,
HPL or FORBO desktop linoleum overlays.
Library computer tables with wire cutouts. Available with partitions.
Flip top power/data solution
Full modesty panels and press-release power and data solution.
Flip top power/data solution
Milder offers a range of power and lighting options.
P’unk Ave is mid-sized technology company that needed a flexible, clutter free space. The Milder Office Basic Workstation includes personal storage and wire management options that make the clutter disappear. These mobile stations are sometimes rearranged as teams and project change; seen here in a quad configuration. A series of holes and pegs allow staff to personalize their preferred storage for bags, headphones and the like.
Sadly today’s wireless office doesn’t actually mean “no wires”. Since the stations needed to be moved easily, we neatly stored away the wires, adapters and power cords in an under the desktop channel. The benefit of having easy access without losing desktop surface, while getting rid of unsightly tangles of wire under the desk. Shown here with a laminate finish, the lids are typically fashioned from the desktop material.
Feature image by P’unk Ave Other photos by Milder Office
Personal storage
Detail of the Milder System’s distinctive capscrew
