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
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
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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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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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
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
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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
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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
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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
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
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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
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
