Sonja Vogt's projects
Recent Activity
Commented on Main Library Campus
2 years, 6 months ago
I would like to see TED Talks and author interviews, as well as children events through the library program. I'm glad that the Friends of the Library will be given space and storage. Space for tutoring, and nonprofits would also be important to our community.
Commented on Main Library Campus
2 years, 6 months ago
I need more information to decide
Commented on Main Library Campus
2 years, 6 months ago
There is no choice of designs. It appears to me that this is the only building concept being discussed. I would like to see other design concepts.
Commented on Main Library Campus
2 years, 6 months ago
I am interested in the event space and the library space.
Commented on Main Library Campus
2 years, 6 months ago
Depending on what is offered on the campus and if the parking remains free and onsite, I or one of my family members would be there a few times a week.
Commented on Main Library Campus
2 years, 6 months ago
This building is first and foremost a library. So the space for the library should be the main focus. The rooftop gardens proposed for the Center for Arts & History and Event Space are similar to those seen in downtown Portland. The gardens are very attractive, as long as they do not add a great deal of structural cost. I am always in favor of greenery incorporated into urban environments. Thinking about blending into the natural environment more thought should to be put into the south facing wall of windows. The impact on wildlife, and reflection of light and heat into the Greenbelt area and the adjoining street would be detrimental.
Commented on Main Library Campus
2 years, 6 months ago
I need more information to decide
Supported a comment by Carole Whiteleather on
Main Library Campus
2 years, 6 months ago
Carole Whiteleather
Forgot to explain my reasons regarding The Cabin. As the former Director of Education for The Cabin, I must stress the importance of the location for one of the most dynamic programs, Summer Writing Camps. Students need the access to nature, the museums, zoo and downtown for the various writing assignments and camps in which they participate. When we re-designed the camps from a small three week window to a full summer of offerings, many more students have enjoyed this opportunity. Moving The Cabin could be detrimental to this wonderful experience for kids. Thank you for your consideration of my comments.
Forgot to explain my reasons regarding The Cabin. As the former Director of Education for The Cabin, I must stress the importance of the location for one of the most dynamic programs, Summer Writing Camps. Students need the access to nature, the museums, zoo and downtown for the various writing assignments and camps in which they participate. When we re-designed the camps from a small three week window to a full summer of offerings, many more students have enjoyed this opportunity. Moving The Cabin could be detrimental to this wonderful experience for kids. Thank you for your consideration of my comments.
Supported a comment by Maria Kauffman on
Main Library Campus
2 years, 6 months ago
Maria Kauffman
This structure is beautiful but It seems firm has won out over function.I’ve taken my 5.5yo to the library every week since she was an infant. I also recently had knee surgery and have a new awareness of how hard simple errands have become. Reducing onsite parking by 75% and moving parking further away from the library reduces the convenience of the library dramatically and I feel would deter many people from using the main library. I also don’t understand the emphasis on the arts and culture areas. Adding a theater will compound the parking issue. I agree that art should be incorporated into the library, but is a gallery the best use of space when BAM is across the street? Is a theater necessary when JUMP is right around the corner? One of the best features of the main library is the drive through book drop. Will this feature be retained? If you eliminate it are you considering city wide drop of points? I am perplexed the designer simply ignored The Cabin and didn’t incorporate it into the design. Is it necessary to have a large lounging area around the library and on the roof? It feels like overkill and an egregious waste of potential parking and makes it harder for people with disabilities to reach the door. I love that Boise is becoming more cosmopolitan and an upgraded library is overdue. But this library feels unnecessarily extravagant and loses the main function in all the excess.
This structure is beautiful but It seems firm has won out over function.I’ve taken my 5.5yo to the library every week since she was an infant. I also recently had knee surgery and have a new awareness of how hard simple errands have become. Reducing onsite parking by 75% and moving parking further away from the library reduces the convenience of the library dramatically and I feel would deter many people from using the main library. I also don’t understand the emphasis on the arts and culture areas. Adding a theater will compound the parking issue. I agree that art should be incorporated into the library, but is a gallery the best use of space when BAM is across the street? Is a theater necessary when JUMP is right around the corner? One of the best features of the main library is the drive through book drop. Will this feature be retained? If you eliminate it are you considering city wide drop of points? I am perplexed the designer simply ignored The Cabin and didn’t incorporate it into the design. Is it necessary to have a large lounging area around the library and on the roof? It feels like overkill and an egregious waste of potential parking and makes it harder for people with disabilities to reach the door. I love that Boise is becoming more cosmopolitan and an upgraded library is overdue. But this library feels unnecessarily extravagant and loses the main function in all the excess.
Followed Main Library Campus
2 years, 6 months ago
Commented on Main Library Campus
2 years, 6 months ago
As a life long resident of the Boise Valley, I have an interest in the Downtown branch of the Boise Public Library. It would be good to see other building options that create the badly needed space for the growing population of our wonderful city. For example, I think that the Initial Concept Design does not adequately provide on site parking. The concrete open area in the W. River St entrance appears to be wasted space that will have to be maintained through our long winter months. In my opinion, this entrance is a design element suited for a building in a different climate. I also have concerns about the crowding of the Ann Frank tree. It is important to members of our community to keep this tree and the Memorial a focus point of the area. The expanse of windows along the river side of the building is showcases the beauty of the Boise River. Lastly, relocating the historic log cabin appears to be essential to allow for the building itself, or for parking, but not as it currently appears merely for lawn expansion.