Building the Future

2013 Library Design Showcase

September 4, 2013

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Welcome to the 2013 Library Design Showcase, AL’s annual celebration of new and newly renovated libraries. These libraries are shining examples of innovative architecture that addresses user needs in unique, interesting, and effective ways.

 

Rooms with a View

Spartanburg County (S.C.) Public Library—Middle Tyger Branch

Middle Tyger library’s renovation took full advantage of the surrounding landscape by creating open spaces and reading rooms with windows that look out over the Middle Tyger River.

Renovation 

Spiezle Architectural Group

Size: 13,000 square feet

Cost: $250,000

Photo: Ian Curcio Photography

Spartanburg County (S.C.) Public Library—Middle Tyger Branch

Spartanburg County (S.C.) Public Library—Middle Tyger Branch

 

Ketchikan (Alaska) Public Library

Ketchikan Public Library’s design recalls the canneries, lumber mills, and Native American longhouses of the city’s past. Large windows allow light to brighten the interiors, while also creating stunning views of the surrounding wilderness.

New Construction

Bettisworth Welsh Whiteley, LLC

Size: 16,250 square feet

Cost: $8,792,217

Photo: Kevin G. Smith Photography

Ketchikan (Alaska) Public Library

Ketchikan (Alaska) Public Library

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Tech Teens

Schaumburg Township (Ill.) District Library

Schaumburg repurposed office space to create a teen area comprised of a soundproofed multipurpose room with gaming stations, collaboration stations, connected discussion rooms, a quiet room, a café, and a professional digital media production studio.

Renovation 

Dewberry

Size: 6,000 square feet

Cost: $1.5 million

Photo: Mariusz Mizera

Schaumburg Township (Ill.) District Library

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The Shape of Things

San José (Calif.) Public Library—Seven Trees Branch

Seven Trees branch’s angular lines and turret-like walls give the library a unique look that nods to both the past and future. Large clerestory windows and an open layout on the second floor bring in an abundance of natural light. The functional design also allows for views of the hills east of San José.

New Construction

Rob Wellington Quigley, FAIA

Size: 15,567 square feet

Cost: $8.9 million

Photo: San José Public Library

San José (Calif.) Public Library—Seven Trees Branch

 

District of Columbia Public Library—William O. Lockridge / Bellevue Neighborhood Branch 

The William O. Lockridge/Bellevue Neighborhood branch is a commanding, positive presence in an impoverished area, featuring a large, three-story glass, wood, and concrete main building with three extending, geometric-shaped pavilions.

New Construction

Adjaye Associates

Wiencek + Associates

Size: 22,000 square feet

Cost: $13.5 million

Photo: Maxine Schnitzer

District of Columbia Public Library—William O. Lockridge / Bellevue Neighborhood Branch

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Youth Spaces

Beverly Hills (Calif.) Public Library’s Children’s Library 

The renovations at Beverly Hills Public Library’s Children’s Library include the construction of a theater that accomodates 80 kids for storytimes and movies; an Enchanted Woods room that pays tribute to children’s book illustrations; and a barrel vault and swooping archways that mimic pages turning.

Renovation and Expansion

Johnson Favaro, LLC

Size: 12,000 square feet

Cost: $3.2 million

Photo: Richard Zale Rubins

Beverly Hills (Calif.) Public Library’s Children’s Library

Beverly Hills (Calif.) Public Library’s Children’s Library

 

District of Columbia Public Library—Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Branch 

The Francis A. Gregory branch’s children’s room mimics a treehouse. Painted different shades of green, it features reading nooks set into windows that look out into the surrounding trees.

New Construction

Adjaye Associates

Wiencek + Associates

Size: 22,000 square feet

Cost: $13.5 million

Photo: Maxine Schnitzer

District of Columbia Public Library—Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Branch

District of Columbia Public Library—Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Branch

District of Columbia Public Library—Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Branch

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Outdoor Libraries

Nederland (Colo.) Community Library

Situated along the Peak to Peak Scenic and Historic Byway, the new Nederland Community Library was designed for full appreciation of Colorado’s natural beauty, complete with a deck overlooking a small creek that runs alongside the library.

New Construction

OZ Architecture

Size: 4,500 square feet

Cost: $1.3 million

Photo: Tim Murphy, Foto Imagery

Nederland (Colo.) Community Library

Nederland (Colo.) Community Library

 

North Carolina State University at Raleigh—James B. Hunt, Jr. Library 

The award-winning design of James B. Hunt Jr. Library in Raleigh includes high-def video walls, a film studio, an exhibit gallery, and videoconferencing and telepresence facilities, but the Skyline Terrace with a panoramic North Carolina view steals the show.

New Construction

Snøhetta

Size: 221,122 square feet

Cost: $93.75 million

Photo: Jeff Goldberg

North Carolina State University at Raleigh—James B. Hunt, Jr. Library

North Carolina State University at Raleigh—James B. Hunt, Jr. Library

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Super School

Saint Francis High School, Mountain View, California 

Saint Francis High School’s Sobrato Family Learning Commons and Cassin Family Library is a hub of student activity. With more than 40,000 square feet of new construction and classroom modernization, it features a student center on the first floor and the school on the second level.

Renovation and Expansion

HMC Architects

Size: 40,300 square feet

Cost: $7.6 million

Photo: David Wakely

Saint Francis High School, Mountain View, California

Saint Francis High School, Mountain View, California

Saint Francis High School, Mountain View, California

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Reuse and Restoration

St. Louis Public Library—Central Library

The 100-year-old Central Library’s award-winning renovation (also on p. 39) involved transforming a once-closed seven-story stacks area into a soaring atrium with mezzanine, and converting a former coal storage area into a 250-seat auditorium, expanding children’s and teen rooms, and creating a new entrance with a reflecting pool. Overall, the restoration resulted in an 83% increase in public space.

Renovation and Expansion

Cannon Design

Size: 187,500 square feet

Cost: $70 million

Photo: Timothy Hursley

St. Louis Public Library—Central Library

St. Louis Public Library—Central Library

University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth—Claire T. Carney Library

One of the most significant examples of postwar Brutalist architecture, Claire T. Carney Library underwent a renovation and expansion that added a bright browsing area and a café, and redesigned reading rooms, teaching labs, service desks, and study areas for easier navigation.

Renovation and Expansion

DesignLAB Architects

Size: 190,000 square feet (total); 22,000 square feet (expansion)

Cost: $40 million

Photo: Peter Vanderwarker

University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth—Claire T. Carney Library

University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth—Claire T. Carney Library

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Small Wonder

San Diego County (Calif.) Library—Lincoln Acres Branch

Though small in size, the new Lincoln Acres branch of San Diego County Library is three times larger than the previous facility that served the community. The LEED Silver–rated building sports solar panels and a children’s room adorned with a mosaic mural dedicated to teen staff member José Luis Rodriguez, who was the victim of a random, unsolved shooting.

New Construction 

Safdie Rabines Architects

Size: 2,750 square feet

Cost: $3.5 million

Photo credit: San Diego County Library

San Diego County (Calif.) Library—Lincoln Acres Branch

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Service Flexibility

Dallas Public Library—Polk-Wisdom Branch

The Polk-Wisdom branch maximized its small size by focusing on flexibility. Mobile study rooms, storytime walls, shelving units, and staff work-stations allow patrons and staff to create work spaces by simply moving furniture.

Renovation and Expansion

Hidell and Associates Architects

Size: 16,800 square feet

Cost: $2.9 million

Photo: Patrick Coulie

Dallas Public Library—Polk-Wisdom Branch

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Collaborative Learning

Dixie State University, St. George, Utah—Jeffrey R. Holland Centennial Commons

Dixie State University’s new facility is an information hub for the campus. The library, with its showcase digital commons, shares space with the English department, a writing center, career services, and the IT department, allowing students and faculty easy access to services in one building.

New Construction

Sasaki Associates

VCBO Architecture

Size: 172,000 square feet

Cost: $41 million

Photo: David Becker, John Burns, Paul Richer

Dixie State University, St. George, Utah—Jeffrey R. Holland Centennial Commons

Dixie State University, St. George, Utah—Jeffrey R. Holland Centennial Commons

 

Camden County (N.J.) Library System—Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez Downtown Branch

Located inside the Paul Robeson Library on the Rutgers-Camden Campus, the Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez Downtown branch occupies 5,000 square feet of space that once held academic stacks. The compact branch also features offices, a programming room, a digital classroom, and public access computers.

New Construction

Carlos Raul Rodriguez Architect

Size: 5,000 square feet

Cost: $2.5 million

Photo: Nicholas Henderson

Camden County (N.J.) Library System—Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez Downtown Branch

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Wired In

 Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia—John and Maryanne Hennings Post Learning Commons at Drexel Library

Saint Joseph’s University has updated its library and added a new 35,000-square-foot learning commons to offer students and faculty the latest technologies, including a presentation practice room with video capabilities; an audiovisual multimedia lab; and a digital media zone with dual-monitor computers, comprehensive research content, and the latest software.

Renovation and Expansion

BWA Architecture + Planning

Size: 104,000 square feet

Cost: $16 million

Photo: Don Pearse Photographers and Melissa Kelly/Saint Joseph’s University

 Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia—John and Maryanne Hennings Post Learning Commons at Drexel Library

 Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia—John and Maryanne Hennings Post Learning Commons at Drexel Library

 

Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, Maryland—Andrew G. Truxal Library

Anne Arundel Community College renovated and expanded its library with a focus on technology, adding 20 tech-rich collaboration rooms and two information literacy labs. The spaces are tied together by a large commons area featuring quick-access computer kiosks.

Renovation and Expansion

EwingCole

RATIO Architects

Associated Architects

Size: 75,080 square feet

Cost: $16.8 million

Photo: Barry Halkin Photography

Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, Maryland—Andrew G. Truxal Library

Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, Maryland—Andrew G. Truxal Library

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