Libraries aren’t just giant boxes with books, and one of the striking things about submissions to the Library Design Showcase this year was the uniqueness of many of the shapes found within the library. For this final section of the Showcase, we highlight some of the distinct forms and patterns used in new and renovated libraries this year. Enjoy!
Howard County (Md.) Library, Charles E. Miller Branch and Historical Center
The Shape of Things: Diamonds of light provide accents in several sections of the Miller Branch, including the children’s section and the café.
New Construction
Architect: Grimm + Parker
Size: 63,000 sq. ft.
Cost: $29 milliion
Photo: Howard County Library System
University of Chicago, Joe and Rika Mansueto Library
The Shape of Things: The Mansueto Library, located adjacent to the University of Chicago’s main Regenstein Library, houses 3.5 million volumes underground, accessible via a high-density automated storage and retrieval system. An elliptical glass dome encloses the Grand Reading Room, and the library also houses conservation and digitization labs.
New Construction
Architect: Murphy/Jahn
Size: 61,719 sq. ft.
Cost: $81 million
Photo: Tom Rossiter
County of Los Angeles Public Library, West Hollywood Library
The Shape of Things: The bamboo-coffered ceiling of the upper floor of the West Hollywood Library conceals light and mechanical equipment and mitigates ambient sound. The facility also includes a children’s theater housed inside a façade designed to look like a crate delivered as a gift, and a wood-and-glass-enclosed West Hollywood Room that archives city history.
New Construction
Architect: MDA Johnson Favaro
Size: 33,150 sq. ft.
Cost: $35.1 million
Photo: Johnson Favaro/Fotoworks
San Francisco Public Library, Visitacion Valley Branch
The Shape of Things: Full Circle, a sculpture by Mark Grieve and Ilana Spector, hangs from the central dome of the Visitacion Valley Branch. It is made of interlocking steel hoops and recycled bicycle gears.
New Construction
Architect: San Francisco Department of Public Works Bureau of Architecture
Size: 9,945 sq. ft.
Cost: $13.4 million
Photo: Michael Kromat
Thompson Rivers University, Brown Family House of Learning, Kamloops, British Columbia
The Shape of Things: The Brown Family House of Learning’s assembly hall is the largest in-the-round lecture theater in British Columbia. It references the traditional winter homes of nomadic Secwepemc people. The roof is constructed of Douglas fir glued laminated timber beams and recycled pine beetle–damaged logs surrounding a central skylight.
New Construction
Architect: Diamond Schmitt Architects
Size: 77,000 sq. ft.
Cost: $22 million
Photo: Tom Arban
University of Oklahoma at Tulsa, Schusterman Library
The Shape of Things: A grand staircase welcomes visitors to the Schusterman Library, which draws elements from the design of other campus buildings, including yellow brick, aluminum panels, and thin outcroppings over large windows. Interior materials include white maple hardwood flooring, cherry accents, and dark grey and charcoal carpeting.
New Construction
Architect: McSorley Watkins Architects
Size: 22,000 sq. ft.
Cost: $8.5 million
Photo: Jon B. Petersen Photography
Fitchburg (Wis.) Public Library
The Shape of Things: Sources, a cast-glass and metal sculpture by Steve Feren, features male and female forms nearly 11 feet tall. They double as a sliding gate that closes off the library to allow the lobby and meeting room to be used after-hours. The collection areas are large open areas divided by shelving to allow the space to be reconfigured as needs change, and the facility also has an outdoor reading garden.
New Construction
Architect: Engberg Anderson, Inc.
Size: 56,000 sq. ft.
Cost: $14 million
Photo: Daniel Kabara Photography
Kenai (Alaska) Community Library
The Shape of Things: Large letters are built into the shelves at Kenai Community Library’s children’s section, providing nooks to store games and toys amidst the books.
Renovation and Expansion
Architect: ECI/Hyer, Inc.
Size: 20,000 sq. ft. total, 10,000 sq. ft. expansion
Cost: $5.2 million
Photo: Chris Arend Photography
Patrick Heath Public Library, Boerne, Texas
The Shape of Things: The Patrick Heath Public Library features playful, transparent geometries with glass walls that provide a connection to nature.
New Construction
Architect: O’Neill Conrad Oppelt Architects, Inc.
Size: 30,000 sq. ft.
Cost: $5 million
Photo: Mark Menjivar
Surrey (B.C.) Libraries, City Centre Library
The Shape of Things: A white ribbon of balcony fronts winds its way through several levels of the Surrey City Centre Library
New Construction
Architect: Bing Thom Architects
Size: 82,000 sq. ft.
Cost: $30 million
Photo: Surrey Libraries
University of California at Santa Cruz, McHenry Library
The Shape of Things: Bright serpentine couches offer inviting rest and work spaces for students at the McHenry Library.
Renovation and Expansion
Architect: Boora Architects
Size: 273,962 sq. ft. total, 112,264 sq. ft. expansion
Cost: $100 million
Photo: Elise Herrera-Mahoney
Roanoke County (Va.) Public Library System, South County Library
The Shape of Things: The unique entrance to the South County Library children’s section has display space built in.
New Construction
Architect: HBM | Architects
Size: 54,000 sq. ft.
Cost: $18 million
Photo: David Hungate, Dominion Images Photography
Tom Green County (Tex.) Library System, Stephens Central Library
The Shape of Things: The Stephens Central Library occupies a former department store that stood vacant for 20 years. An undulating glass façade on street level invites passersby in.
Renovation
Architect: Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture
Size: 65,000 sq. ft.
Cost: $12 million
Photo: Tom Kessler
Terrebonne Parish (La.) Library System, North Branch Library
The Shape of Things: Arches divide rooms at the North Branch.
Renovation and Expansion
Architect: Cheramie + Bruce
Size: 26,000 sq. ft. total, 12,000 sq. ft. expansion
Cost: $5.7 million
Photo: John R. Cornes
Sterling (Colo.) Public Library
The Shape of Things: Funky chairs and a high-arched entrance mark the teen section at Sterling Public Library.
Renovation and Expansion
Architect: Humphries Poli Architects, P.C.
Size: 16,000 sq. ft. total, 6,000 sq. ft. expansion
Cost: $2.5 million
Photos: Humphries Poli Architects, P.C.
