Willow Glen Resident

News

Structural beam cancels out glass-blown library gateway

By Mayra Flores De Marcotte

The San Jose Public Art Committee approved only one design concept for the Willow Glen Branch Library.

Artist David Ruth, who will be creating the library art, had originally developed two concepts that the committee had unanimously approved Feb. 21.

The first was a glass-blown gateway into the library with an array of bright colors that would softly filter sunlight during the day. Hand-drawings of Willow Glen scenes, such as trees, the old library and the old fire station, would be embedded in the glass gateway art.

The second concept was a series of windows made out of blown glass, also using bright colors, that would line the west side of the new library.

However, at the May 16 meeting, the committee chose to use only the second design because the first was not feasible, project manager Jennifer Easton said.

"When Ruth had contact with the architect, he found out that there's a structural beam that goes right across where the gateway is being proposed," she said. "The height would have been brought down to 8 feet, which was too low, and the width was too narrow."

Easton said the committee needed to keep functionality and safety in mind.

But committee members had hoped to infuse history into the art, as the first concept did. The second concept is more abstract. Ruth will look for ways to incorporate some Willow Glen history into the second concept, Easton said.

"He's concentrating on making the facade piece more dynamic and more beautiful," she said.

There will be an estimated 40 windows on the west side of the building, and Ruth plans to wrap the design over the south side, facing Minnesota Avenue, with the inclusion of approximately six more windows.

Ruth's finished proposal for the project will be ready by June or July. In the interim, Easton said the committee would probably put the design on a board and put it in the Willow Glen library so people know what has changed and why.

For more information, contact Jennifer Easton at 408.277.5144 ext. 24 or by e-mail at jennifer.easton@sanjoseca.gov.