Espace partagé pour la bibliothèque de Hamilton, Ontario et le farmer's market

Hamilton est située à 30 mn de voiture de Toronto. C'est la 8 eme grande ville du Canada (+500 000 hab.).

Hamilton a vécu pendant très longtemps de la sidérurgie et a souffert de son image de ville "en déclin".

Elle essaie de moderniser son image ; en témoigne une rue "des arts" James street qui propose galeries d'art et papeterie, librairie et un festival calqué sur celui de la nuit blanche à Toronto (les artistes exposent dans la ville). Elle dispose d'une université moderne et d'un tout nouveau grand hôpital à côté du campus.

Le projet de construction d'une grande médiathèque moderne qui cohabiterait avec un marché couvert a vu le jour fin 2010

"The redevelopment of the Hamilton Public Library and Farmers Market is a pivotal project in Hamilton’s overall urban renewal strategy. This $14 million project involves the reorganization and rebranding of both the market and the library, two of Hamilton’s most important civic destinations. The Hamilton Public Library is to be reborn as “Information Central: Your Marketplace of Ideas”, featuring new public spaces, reorganized and enhanced collections, and increased computer and internet access through the introduction of a 50 workstation information commons. The renovation of the Farmers Market is focused on improvement of HVAC, lighting, and plumbing servicing.

This project involved carefully planned facilitation of many diverse interest groups ranging from market staff, stallholders, library administrators and various departmental managers, City staff, city councilors, and the public. Transparency, integration of public art, and operable section of the façade are some of the design features supporting the new image, integral to the rebranding of both market and library. It is hoped that this project will act as a catalyst for further downtown renewal initiatives.

This $14 million project, being completed in partnership with RDH Architects, involves the reorganization and rebranding of both the market and the library, two of Hamilton’s most important civic destinations." (source : cabinet d'architecte : http://dpai.ca/projects)